Electric demand on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid peaked at 65,790 megawatts (MW) Tuesday, setting a new July record.

The previous July record of 65,432 MW occurred on July 27, 2011, during the hottest summer on record. One MW can power about 200 Texas homes during peak demand periods, typically hot summer days like this one, and about 500 homes during milder seasons.

Although there was sufficient generation to serve today’s electric use and other new records set in June, ERCOT reminds consumers to use power wisely. Conservation is especially important during peak use hours of 3-7 p.m. on hot summer days. Temperatures surpassed 100 degrees in several cities today, and most areas within the ERCOT region expect even higher temperatures for the remainder of the week.

To keep up with grid conditions, download the ERCOT Energy Saver free mobile app for iPhones and Android devices. When conservation is needed most, ERCOT also will provide information through the news media, Facebook, Twitter (@ERCOT_ISO) and its subscription-based Emergency Alerts list (http://lists.ercot.com).

A few key steps consumers can take to reduce demand on the grid during peak demand hours include:

• Turn the thermostat up by two or three degrees in the late afternoon.
• Set pool pumps to run late at night or early in the morning.
• Postpone chores that require the use of large appliances until later in the evening.

For more conservation tips, check the ERCOT Energy Saver app or visit the Public Utility Commission of Texas website.