During the hottest afternoons of the year, every air conditioner on the block runs at full blast. The hum is constant, and the demand is climbing. When temperatures spike, local power grids face real strain. Understanding why extreme heat pushes the system to its limits and which cooling choices can help homeowners stay comfortable starts with knowing how demand actually works. Why Summer Heat Waves Are Pushing the Grid to Its Limits When a heat wave settles in, electricity demand surges. Air conditioners run longer and cycle on more frequently, both because more households are using them and because each unit has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. That compounding effect creates a surge bigger than one might expect from simply adding a few more ACs to the mix. The hottest hours of the day take place in the afternoon and early evening, leaving grid operators to handle…
