Officials at Hartselle Utilities and Joe Wheeler EMC are asking all power consumers – residential, commercial and industrial – to cooperate in reducing power usage due to extreme cold weather beginning today.

Notices to that effect were issued Thursday morning. Joe Wheeler asked for volunteer reduction until further notice. HU’s request was until Friday afternoon.

Thursday’s low is expected to dip to 10 degrees.

Volunteer reduction is needed to help ensure a continued supply of power throughout the Tennessee Valley and to avoid interruptions in service, the notices stated.

Joe Wheeler said members should:

• Postpone using electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and cooking equipment.

• Reduce the use of heating by adjusting thermostats to 60 degrees.

• Turn off nonessential lights, appliances and other electrical equipment.

Hartselle Utilities said customers should:

• Turn off unnecessary lighting and appliances.

• Avoid operating clothes dryers and dishwashers.

• Turn down thermostats in homes and businesses two to three degrees below normal.

• Take shorter showers.

• Turn off heat in all rooms that you can.

• Dress warmer and in layers.

HU general manager Bob Sittason said the electric department has operated smoothly and efficiently in spite of near record low single digit temperatures.

However, he pointed out that he expects record peaks in power demand to occur due to cold weather.