09/14/2026
ERCOT is asking everyone to cut back. Should I really turn my AC off in this heat?
When ERCOT issues a conservation appeal, it is asking Texans to ease the strain on the grid during peak demand. Helpful for everyone, yes. But no, you should not shut your AC off completely in triple digit heat, especially with kids, older family members, or pets in the house. Your safety comes first.
The smarter move is to ease back, not power down. Bump your thermostat up a few degrees, to around 78 or so, rather than turning the system off. That still trims your demand on the grid without letting your home turn into an oven you have to claw back from later.
A few easy steps stretch that even further during a conservation window. Precool your home before the peak hours hit, usually late afternoon into evening. Close blinds on the sunny side of the house. Hold off on the oven, dryer, and other big appliances until the alert passes. And let ceiling fans help you feel cooler at a higher setting.
Here is the part worth knowing. A system straining to keep up during a grid event is also the one most likely to quit on you at the worst moment. If yours is already struggling in the heat, a conservation alert is a good reminder to have it checked before it fails.
Want to make sure your system is ready for peak Texas summer? Call us at (737) 408-1703.