Wednesday night could mark the coldest temperatures in Memphis and Shelby County in more than a year. While the Tennessee Valley Authority’s electric system remains stable, the peak demand will be high Wednesday night and into Thursday.

MLGW is encouraging customers to take the following steps to conserve energy:

• Open the blinds on the south side of your home during sunny days, but keep the blinds closed on cloudy days and at night.
   
• Postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and cooking equipment during peak power use times early in the morning and early in the evening.
   
• Turn off nonessential lights, appliances, electronics and other electrical equipment.
   
• Set your thermostat at 68° or lower when you're home.
   
• At bedtime, lower your thermostat and add extra blankets.
   
• Lower or turn off thermostat when leaving your home for four hours or more.
   

“MLGW customers taking these steps will help reduce the demand on TVA’s electric system, as well as help lower their bills. It’s a winning formula for everyone,” said MLGW President & CEO Jerry Collins, Jr.

More energy-saving tips can be found at mlgw.com.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.