As temperatures look set to hit as high as 40C in NSW and many parts of South Australia today and over the weekend, the demand for energy is as close to the highest on record, with energy providers predicting blackouts on Friday afternoon.
"The Australian Energy Market Operator is forecasting a potential shortfall in generation capacity in NSW late this afternoon, and Ausgrid may be directed to interrupt power to sections of the network," a spokesperson for the network said.
NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin asked that people make considered choices about their energy consumption in such conditions.
"The NSW Government is doing everything we can to ensure a power outage is avoided but we encourage the community to reduce their energy use where possible," he said.
The call came as mud-slinging continued over who was to blame for a half-hour forced power outage that hit more than 40,000 homes across South Australia on Wednesday during a 42-degree day.
So how can you stay cool at home while helping to reduce the strain on providers across the country? Here are easy ways to keep the heat at bay and conserve energy at the same time.
Turn the air conditioning off (or down)
"Where possible, homeowners and businesses may consider setting air conditioners to between 23 and 26 degrees," Ausgrid's spokesperson said.
Each degree of cooling can cost between 30 to 40 cents per hour to your bill, adding up to $150 to your bill by the end of summer. Alternately, use a fan - it can cost as little as $6 to run over the summer.
Shut the windows
There's no point running the air conditioning if you're only going to let all the cool air out.
Remember to shut doors and windows, as well as curtains or blinds, to keep the heat out and the cool air in.
Power down appliances
"People should turn off non-essential electrical equipment like pool pumps, or use them during off-peak periods, and turn off any lights that are not needed," the spokesperson said.
Appliances still use energy in standby mode. When they're not in use, switching them off at the wall can help mitigate their overall impact on the grid.
Using a power board can help expedite this process by allowing you to switch off all appliances using the same switch.
Take shorter, cooler showers
The largest energy user in most households is often the hot water system.
Ausgrid estimates that by shaving just one minute off your shower time, households stand to save up $100 a year.
Make the switch
Going solar can provide 65 to 80 per cent of your hot water free of charge.
High installation costs are offset by long-term savings, a decreased reliance on energy providers and a carbon smaller footprint.
Solar lights for outdoor and garden areas are also sound lighting options.
Use a peg
Doing your clothes washing when you have a full load, and putting it on a cold wash is the most efficient way to wash your clothes.
Choosing a washing machine with at least a three-and-a-half star energy rating, and a four star water rating, is the best way to ensure households will save both money and energy.
Using a clothesline instead of a dryer wherever possible is also a savvy option.
Check your fridge
The optimal temperature for fridges to run on is between four and five degrees. For freezers, between minus 15 and minus 18 is ideal.
Ensuring there is a five centimetre gap around the fridge, and seeing it is placed in a well-ventilated spot away from the oven and direct sunlight, will prevent it from overheating.
Insulate your home
Heating and cooling costs can be reduced by up to 40 per cent by installing insulation in the roof, walls and floors of your home.
When shopping for insulation, it's important to consider the 'R value' of the material. The higher the R value, the greater its ability to resist the flow of heat.
