EWEB warns Eugene residents air conditioning will raise bills in heat wave

That difference matters as temperatures rise across Lane County. The National Weather Service office in Portland has issued a Heat Advisory and Extreme Heat Warning for June 14 through June 16, with daytime highs forecast to range from 92 degrees to 100 degrees across much of the Willamette Valley and overnight lows between 63 degrees and 67 degrees.

EWEB says sustained heat drives up electricity use at the same time many homes are cooling hardest, creating peak demand events that strain the regional grid. Peak electricity is also more expensive, the utility says, which can raise both wholesale power costs and the infrastructure costs that ultimately flow through to customer bills. When temperatures near or exceed 100 degrees, EWEB warns transformers and underground cables are more likely to fail, and underground repairs can take longer than overhead work.

The Oregon Health Authority says extreme heat illnesses are preventable, but residents should watch for heat exhaustion symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating and a fast, weak pulse. Heat stroke, marked by a body temperature above 103 degrees, is a medical emergency and requires a call to 911.

EWEB’s advice focuses on using less power during the hottest part of the day. The utility recommends closing windows during the heat of the afternoon, opening them at night when temperatures drop, using fans and window coverings, and shifting appliance use to off-peak hours. It also offers rebates and loans for efficiency upgrades that can lower long-term costs, including insulation, windows and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.