(Press Release) The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the grid operator for most of Texas, on Tuesday broke the new peak demand record it set Monday. Electric use during the 4-5 p.m. hour reached 66,583 megawatts (MW), also exceeding the standing record for July. ERCOT does not expect to break this new June record this week.

The previous record for June, set Monday, June 25, was 65,047 MW, well above the 63,102 MW record set on June 17, 2011. ERCOT’s all-time peak demand record occurred on Aug. 3, 2011, when electric use in the ERCOT region topped out at 68,379 MW. One MW is enough to power about 200 homes during peak demand periods, typically hot summer days like this one.

ERCOT will continue to use a variety of channels to keep the public informed throughout the summer. ERCOT Energy Saver, a new mobile app now available for Apple and Android devices, will provide real-time alerts when conservation is most critical in the ERCOT region. Users of the free app need to enable push notifications to receive these messages. ERCOT also will provide information through the news media, Facebook, Twitter and ERCOT’s new subscription-based EmergencyAlerts list (http://lists.ercot.com).

Some steps everyone can take to reduce demand on the grid during these peak demand hours include the following:

-Turn your thermostat up by two or three degrees in the late afternoon.

-If you will be away from home throughout the day, turn your thermostat up before leaving home in the morning.

-Set pool pumps to run late at night or early in the morning.

-Avoid using large appliances, especially hot stoves and clothes dryers, during the peak.

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