Huntsville Utilities prepared for ‘dangerously cold’ temperatures next week

HUNTSVILLE – The National Weather Service in Huntsville is urging North Alabama businesses and residents to prepare now for potential dangerously cold temperatures next week.

In an update Friday morning, forecasters said the Tennessee Valley will experience the coldest airmass we have seen thus far this winter. 

External Affairs Director Joe Gehrdes said Huntsville Utilities prepares year-round for weather events. 

“Most of the work we do for situations like this is a never-ending year-round effort to maintain the system, to improve the system where it needs improving,” he said. “For example, last year in the warmer months, we did improvements to our voltage in the northwest area of the county that will improve reliability.” 

Huntsville Utilities serves more than 200,000 customers for electricity, 100,000 for water, and 56,000 for natural gas. The utility company provides services to Madison County, as well as parts of Marshall and Jackson counties. 

“It’s readiness and responsiveness, we don’t anticipate any issues because we spend all year preparing for things like this by maintaining the system properly and making improvements,” said Gehrdes. “But winter puts a strain on everything in terms of demand. Crews will be ready, not just electric crews, but also gas and water.”

Gehrdes said there are two peaks on energy demand in the colder winter months.

“In the winter time, you have the early morning peak as people are getting up, preparing for work and then again in the evening as people are getting home doing household things like cooking, bathing, etc.,” he said. “That sends the peak back up again.” 

Next week’s dip in temperatures will affect residents throughout North Alabama.    

“This cold weather will affect TVA’s entire footprint, they are making preparations as well, making sure they have all their assets online to meet the demand when it comes,” Gehrdes said.

Huntsville Utilities purchases electricity from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for distribution to local customers throughout the service area. TVA serves over 10 million residents in an 80,000 square-mile area.

To stay safe and warm next week, Gehrdes recommended residents ensuring their homes are weather secure. 

“Check all your doors and windows, be sure those seals are good so that you’re not losing heated air to the cold temperatures and operating your home home more efficiently, thereby reducing your demand,” he said.

Gehrdes said operating appliances such as a water heater, clothes dryer, stove or an oven during the day will also help reduce spikes in demand.