In the midst of record low temperatures in San Diego over the past few days, SDG&E is asking its customers to tone down their energy usage.
The company said their natural gas usage has increased to an all-time high level over the last three nights.
As a result, they are now concerned that they won't have enough gas to get customers through the unusually cold winter.
SDG&E issued the following requests to customers as ways to conserve their natural gas supply:
• Lower your furnace thermostat by three to five degrees (health permitting), this can save up to 30 percent on heating costs
• Limit use of gas fireplaces
• Turn off unnecessary lights, hold off on doing laundry, running your dishwasher, etc.
Along with the request for conservation, the company also urged caution in regard to carbon monoxide levels. On Monday, a family of four was transported to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning. According to Imperial Beach's fire inspector, the source of the carbon monoxide was a tankless water heater.
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The cold snap in San Diego has persisted for about a week now. Temperatures in many regions dipped to freezing levels, and high winds made the chilly weather feel even colder.
Crops such as avocados in San Diego's more rural areas were threatened by the freezing temperatures. Even some of the animals at the San Diego Zoo required extra attention to stay warm, the Associated Press reported.
Photo Credit: AP