Watts Going Down

Just as carpooling can help ease the strain on our roadways at rush hour, LIPA's Watts Going Down program can help ease the strain on our electric system during summer peak electric usage.

Watts Going Down encourages LIPA customers to reduce electric usage on extremely hot, humid days, particularly from 2 PM to 6 PM. It’s a win, win: your lower usage reduces electric “rush hour” at the most critical times and saves you money.

A Growing Need

On hot, humid summer days when consumer & business electric use may strain LIPA's ability to supply enough power to keep the "lights on" for all of Long Island, LIPA will declare a "Critical Demand Day."

How You Can Help

On "Critical Demand Days" LIPA will ask customers to turn off all non-essential appliances & lights between 2 PM and 6 PM.

Sign up to voluntarily reduce electric use on Critical Demand Days:

• Use appliances and other equipment during the early morning or late evening, including dehumidifiers, washers, dryers, AC, etc.
• Turn off unnecessary lighting & take advantage of the sun's natural light.
• Raise the thermostat on your central air conditioner to 78 degrees, or turn it off (LIPAedge participants excluded from this tip).
• Unplug or turn off any unnecessary equipment and appliances (coffee makers, computers, etc.) during the hours of 2PM and 6PM.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning.
• Use timers to more conveniently turn off appliances & equipment.