Idaho Residents Using Record Breaking Amounts of Electricity

We don't have to tell you just how hot it is out there in the Treasure Valley--it's scorching and there's no hiding from it. Sprinkle in some of the smoke from area wildfires and let's be real--even our amazing outdoors aren't that enjoyable at the moment.

What's going on indoors while all of this 'noise' goes on outside? Well, most folks are working hard to find the cool air--or stay cool.

How cold do you keep your home during these types of heat waves? Experts claim that Idaho residents shouldn't be dropping their air conditioning units lower than 80 degrees--but some say that just ins't reasonable.

It really seems like there are two camps when it comes to cooling off in the summer.

Those that don't run their air conditioning at all during the summer because it's just too expensive-- and those that run it so aggressively, home feels like a walk-in freezer!

According to Idaho Power--a LOT of people are running that air conditioning these days.

If you can believe it, Idaho Power has reported record breaking power usage-- a total of 3,792 'megawatts' which was hit on Monday, July 22nd, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The record was last broken in June of 2021-- but there is one interesting difference this time around.

In 2021, Idaho Power was asking the public to conserve power usage and take it easy during heavy demand hours to lessen the beating on our power grid. This year, they aren't asking for that help from the public. Why? Interestingly enough, officials at Idaho Power say that upgrades in hydro plants and solar power with batteries is making the power much more available to customers. Amazing what these renewable resources are doing!