When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises.

Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems and more lighting. 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 — and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation works closely with the Tennessee Valley Authority, our generation and transmission company, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes. This partnership involves detailed resource 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 a much 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. This is especially true during severe weather events such as ice storms or sudden temperature drops. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, TVA might call for controlled outages (rolling blackouts) to prevent broader system failures. If such a situation arises, Gibson Electric will provide you with timely updates.

Help us maintain a reliable grid 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.

• Delay using large appliances during peak hours, which are typically 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Run dishwashers, washing machines and dryers during off-peak hours.

• Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees 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.

By practicing these energy conservation habits at home, you save money on your monthly bill and help strengthen the resiliency of the grid that powers our communities. Thank you for helping us ensure our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.