How winter temperatures impact electric supply & demand
When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally increases. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times—typically in the mornings and early evenings resulting in significant pressure on our electric grid.
Citizens Electric must forecast and plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure all 27,000 members have reliable power every day of the year. Planning involves detailed resources and infrastructure planning to make certain electricity is available whenever you need it. However, it’s important to remember that our local system is part of the larger regional and national electric grid.
During the winter months, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach, or occasionally exceed, available supply, also referred to as capacity. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, or what is or can be generated for the end user, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages—often referred to as rolling blackouts—to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Citizens Electric will provide updates and information to members.
Supply = how much electricity is produced through generation at power plants.
Demand =how much electricity is needed by consumers and members.
To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, Citizens Electric along with Regional Transmission Organizations and other partners take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization and comprehensive disaster response planning. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort—and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.
You can help by taking simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter:
- Lower your thermostat slightly. Even reducing the temperature by a few degrees can help.
- Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers during off-peak hours—typically midday or late evening.
- Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees F and spacing out showers helps conserve both energy and hot water.
- Unplug unnecessary devices. Power used for lighting and electronics adds up and accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Disconnect unused items to reduce energy waste.
Understanding how winter weather impacts electricity supply and demand is key to maintaining system reliability. By practicing simple energy conservation habits at home, you not only save money on your monthly bill—you also help strengthen the resilience of the grid that powers our community. Together, through small actions and shared awareness, we can ensure that our homes remain warm, our lights stay on and our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.