O'ahu electricity use hits record level
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
The hot, muggy weather has folks cranking up their air conditioners and consuming electricity at record levels.
HECO is offering a tips on minimizing energy use this summer: • Consumers should buy an energy efficient air conditioner. Units come with yellow energy guide labels that describe the Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the EER, the more energy efficient the air conditioner will be. • Choose the smallest system that is adequate for the space you want to cool. Oversized air conditioners may not adequately dehumidify the air and could create a clammy feeling in the room. • Install the air conditioner away from the sun so the unit won't have to work harder to cool a room. • Look for energy-saving features, such as a fan-only switch. Other tips can be found at the HECO Web site. Rebates for energy-efficient air conditioners also can be found on the Web site.
On Monday, Hawaiian Electric Co. generators were pumping out a record 1,219,000 kilowatts in the afternoon. That record was short-lived as HECO recorded a peak of 1,227,000 kilowatts on Tuesday.
Saving energy, beating the heat
The previous record was 1,213,000 kilowatts set in September 1997.
HECO officials blamed the increased electrical use on the recent spell of humid weather.
"July is a little early for a day peak to occur," said Chris Shirai, HECO vice president for energy delivery. "Electric usage goes up during the day usually because air conditioners are working harder to cool buildings and homes."
HECO spokesman Fred Kobashikawa said there are two peak times in a day, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening, when people are at home cooking.
Kobashikawa said HECO's system was able to handle the spike in electric use and was not in danger of overloading.
Records also were set on Maui and the Big Island this week.
Maui's peak on Monday was 180,400 kilowatts, compared with its previous record of 180,300 kilowatts set on Aug. 16, 2001.
The Big Island set a record of 161,700 kilowatts Monday, but its previous record was not available.
National Weather Service lead forecaster Jeff Powell said the uncomfortable weather was caused by the humidity, not high temperatures.
"The high temperatures at the airport ranged from 86 to 88, which is seasonal for this time of the year," Powell said.
He said trade winds returned yesterday and made things more bearable.
The tradewinds should continue throughout the week.
