Summer Energy Watch Program

The National Grid Summer Energy Watch ProgramUsing energy is an essential part of nearly everything we do. For this reason,National Grid works in many ways to ensure that its customers have a suffi-cient supply of electricity available for their needs year-round.

One way is by signing long-term con-tracts with electricity suppliers, whichhelps ensure sufficient supplies whilekeeping customers’ costs down. Anotheris by calculating various factors, includ-ing average temperatures and normalenergy demands, to estimate projectedelectricity needs throughout the region.

Still another part of ensuring sufficientsupplies involves working closely withthe New York Independent SystemOperator (NYISO). A not-for-profit corporation established in 1999, NYISOadministers the state’s wholesale energymarket and high-voltage transmissionsystem.

How You Can Help Ensure Electricity Supplies in Upstate New York

Protecting Your ElectricServiceProlonged temperature and humidityextremes can cause electricity demandsto reach peak levels, putting a strain onthe statewide grid through which elec-tricity is transmitted. Reducing energyconsumption across the region when thedemand for electricity is high protectsthe grid’s stability.

During periods of high demand, NYISOdetermines when energy use curtailmentis needed. At such times, NYISO will askNational Grid to make a general publicappeal, requesting that customersthroughout its service area reduce theirelectricity use for a specified period.Throughout a public appeal, we alsoprovide information and updates tokeep you informed and help you makewise energy use choices.

Conserving energy during peak demanddays is vital to ensuring continuous,sufficient electricity supplies. In fact,every household and business that takesaction to reduce electricity use during aSummer Energy Watch public appealplays an important part in helping ourregion avoid electricity shortages, black-outs and related emergencies.

How You Can HelpWhen temperatures and humidity areon the rise, stay informed. Check yourlocal news regularly. When you learn of

a Summer Energy Watch public appealfor reduced energy consumption, takeaction to limit your electricity use wher-ever you can—at home and at work.During a Summer Energy Watch publicappeal, National Grid will not ask youto stop using electricity altogether.Simply reducing your use where you canmakes a big difference. Steps that youcan take include:

Set air conditioners at higher temperatures.Close shades and blinds to keep your home cooler.Limit use of major appliances such aselectric stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers.Turn off unnecessary lights.If you have a pool pump, turn it off.

More Simple Ways to Save Summer weather offers lots of opportu-nities to conserve energy (which alsomeans saving on energy bills). To use—and spend—less on home cooling thisseason, try these:

Use a fan to draw in cool air at night and circulate daytime air.Install window locks so that your windows can be safely left open at night.

Use a microwave or toaster oven instead of a range, to use less energy and keep your home cooler.Remember that air conditioning can affect your energy bills as much as winter heating. Check your manual and perform regular maintenance to keep it operating efficiently.If your air conditioner has an outsideair option, use it sparingly. It costs less to recirculate and cool indoor airthan to cool hot air from outside.Keep doors and windows closed when your air conditioner is on.When buying a new air conditioner,get the right size, which may be smaller than you think. A properly sized unit cools air and removes humidity more effectively, and costs less to operate. And look for the Energy Star® label—you’ll save at least 10 percent in energy costs compared to minimum-performanceunits. For more information, call 1-888-STAR-YES (782-7937) or visit www.energystar.gov.Clean air filters on room air condi-tioners monthly. The condenser should be professionally cleaned every two years, or every year in dusty conditions.Central air conditioning units shouldbe inspected, cleaned and tuned by a professional to help them last longer and use less energy. Check with a service technician about the proper maintenance schedule.

National Grid25 Research DriveWestborough, MA 015821-800-932-3223 MA, NH, RI1-800-642-4272 NYwww.nationalgrid.com 1036 8/07

National Grid, through the transmis-sion and distribution of electricityand natural gas, serves close to 4 million customers across 29,000square miles of Massachusetts,New Hampshire, New York andRhode Island. Its parent company,National Grid plc, is an internationalenergy delivery business located inthe U.K. with principal activities inthe regulated electricity and naturalgas industries.

By working together to conserve electric-ity, we can protect the electricity trans-mission system we all rely on—and prevent the electricity shortages thathave affected other parts of the country.

Large Customers Do TheirPartBy the time National Grid makes aSummer Energy Watch public appeal,we have already worked with our largestbusiness customers to reduce electricityconsumption. For information on ourdemand response programs, which arecosponsored by NYISO, seewww.nationalgrid.com/demandresponse.

Stay Safe in the HeatTo avoid dangerous heat stress and staysafe when temperatures and humidityare high, see www.nationalgridus.com/tempsafety.

Find Out MoreFor more on conserving energy andsaving on home energy costs year-round, see www.nationalgridus.com/knowhow.