Power outage: 5 tips to keep your fridge cold
A power outage can cause food in your refrigerator to spoil. Here’s how to keep your refrigerator and freezer cooler for longer.
Power was restored using a “temporary solution” for thousands of Austin Energy customers who suffered blackouts Thursday night. It was the second day in a row that thousands of people were without power due to record-high temperatures.
About 6,400 homes were without power shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday after a transformer at a substation in southwest Austin went offline, the city of Austin said in a news release.
“The expected high temperatures (on Friday) could overload equipment due to additional power demand and cause further outages for customers in this region,” the press release said.
According to Austin Energy’s outage map, the outages primarily affected customers in an area of southwest Austin near Southwest Parkway and Barton Creek Boulevard.
“All affected customers have been switched to other circuits and currently have power,” Austin Energy said in a post on social platform X at 2 a.m. Friday. “This is a temporary solution. Austin Energy’s work will continue as we attempt to make the necessary corrections to provide a permanent solution.”
Customers in southwest Austin should prepare for possible power outages, the utility company said.
The utility said the outages — including Wednesday’s, which affected more than 7,000 customers — were “local” and not related to the statewide power grid, which is operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
According to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio, temperatures in Austin reached 41 degrees on Thursday, setting a record for that date at Austin’s Camp Mabry. On Wednesday, temperatures reached 42 degrees, the weather service said.
Austin Energy offers tips on preparing for power outages during prolonged heat
Austin Energy advises customers to review emergency plans and emergency equipment. Customers experiencing power outages can minimize power spikes by turning off appliances, lights and other equipment.
For cooling center locations and hours, visit austintexas.gov/alerts.
Austin Energy advised its customers to use as little energy as possible, especially between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Here are some of the utility company’s tips to keep cool in the summer while saving energy:
- Raise your thermostat a few degrees. For the greatest energy savings, aim for 78 degrees or more. If you’re going to be away for two hours or more on a hot day, set your thermostat to 85 degrees.
- Point fans toward you to make the temperatures around you seem about 4 degrees cooler. In the summer, set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise, pushing cool air downward. Only run fans when you are in the room.
- Close blinds and curtains on windows exposed to direct sunlight to prevent heat from entering the house.
- Provide shade for outdoor air conditioning units. Air conditioning units shaded by trees or other means work more efficiently and use up to 10% less electricity.
- Provide shade for outdoor air conditioning units. Air conditioning units shaded by trees or other means work more efficiently and use up to 10% less electricity.
