Meanwhile, the power authority is pleading with Ontarians to reduce electricity use by 10 per cent by offering rebate incentives for maintaining and upgrading air conditioning systems.
Londoners have also taken advantage of London Hydro's Chill Out program, an initiative that aims to get people to trade in old refrigerators and freezers for new, energy-efficient units.
Nearly 3,000 appliances have been collected, leaving London Hydro about 700 short of its goal.
The utility estimates the program could save eight million kilowatt hours per year, enough to power 900 homes, Hutton said. That's about $720,000, she said.
Energy demand peaked during a heat wave last month, hitting 656 megawatts on May 30 after a weekend in which highs hit the low 30s. That peak was only about 50 megawatts less than last summer's peak.
Normal peak demand is around 600 megawatts in London, but Hutton and Love both conceded the early heat took people by surprise.
Air conditioning companies have already felt the heat as well, said Rocco Cifaldi, owner of Stacey Heating and Plumbing.
"We were kind of going crazy in May. With the weather, everybody realizes they have to turn their air conditioning on," he said. "We were running up to a week behind. . . . When it rains it pours."
ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
- Keep your thermostat at 26 C. Each degree below 26 C will increase your energy costs significantly.
- Turn off your air conditioner when you are not home.
- To reduce temperatures indoors, keep blinds, drapes or curtains closed.
- Use ceiling fans.
- Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine.
- Set your washing machine to wash in warm or cold water and rinse in cold.
- Install a water-saving shower head.
