Con Ed asks Queens customers to conserve energy during ill-timed repairs as heat wave continues

Some rain came Thursday, but no relief from the heat.

That will have to come from air conditioners, which will tax the power grid, especially in Queens.

With temperatures still in the 90s in and around New York City, Con Edison asked customers Thursday to limit any “unnecessary use” of air conditioning during repair work.

Con Edison asked Queens residents Thursday to conserve energy, including turning off air conditioning units. (Seth Wenig/)

Repairs in central Queens will affect nearly 85,000 customers, the power company said, asking those in Corona, Elmhurst, Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates, Oakland Gardens, Hollis Hills, Kew Gardens, Pomonok and Hillcrest to cut down on their usage.

The company asked customers to skip using “energy-intensive appliances” like washers, dryers, and microwaves until crews complete repairs and to cut down on air conditioning use.

“If you have two air conditioners, use only one and set it to the highest comfortable temperature,” Con Ed said.

A woman wipes her brow as people wait in line to see Phantom of the Opera in midtown Manhattan as temperatures reach into the 90s on July 21, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/)

It’s unclear how long the repair work will take.

Thursday’s temperatures, in the mid-90s for much of the city, officially qualifies the Big Apple as being in a heat wave, with three straight days of 90 degrees or higher.

Showers came early in the afternoon, but any relief was fleeting. At 4:30 p.m., the temperature was back to 87 degrees, with the heat index at a tropical 95.

During the summer of 1953, Central Park saw 12 consecutive days of 90 degrees, which stands as the record.

People keeping cool in a mist pathway near the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York, Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Shawn Inglima/)

The city’s heat advisory has been extended through Sunday, the mayor’s office announced Thursday. City Olympic and intermediate-sized pools will stay open until 8 p.m. Thursday, an hour later than usual, for those trying to beat the heat in the water.

Queens residents are not the only ones advised to use power wisely.

“New Yorkers are asked to use less energy during hot weather to protect the power grid,” the city’s official Twitter account posted. “Turn your A/C to 78 degrees and unplug appliances like TVs and computers. Drinking water and taking cool showers will keep you cool, too. These steps will keep the power on for everyone!”