TEXAS, USA — North Texans, we hear you, and we can't say we're surprised.
We've all been trying to keep cool as the heatwave continues, but ERCOT is asking Texans to save power.
After they reported six facilities briefly going offline on Friday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas suggested a few ways for residents to lower their power usage over the weekend. That includes raising thermostats to 78 degrees and using large appliances (dishwashers, laundry machines, etc.) during peak hours.
The WFAA team asked on social media what you have been setting your thermostats to. Here are some of the responses we've seen so far.
Long story short, many people are not setting their thermostats at 78 degrees.
One Twitter user replied that they're keeping theirs at 72 degrees until ERCOT helps pay their electricity bill.
Other replies included a lot of numbers lower than 78, including 72, 70, 68, and 54 degrees.
Another person admitted that their AC is on "'Snowing in the bedroom' cold."
And one reply is a summary for many responses to ERCOT via social media:
The same thoughts were written on the WFAA Facebook post. Here are some quotes from comments noticed by the news team:
"If my thermostat is at 78, I might as well sit outside."
"73 degrees all year long. ERCOT can set their office to 78 degrees."
"... I complied to the request for the big freeze and then say without power for 6 days! Won't be doing it again. Ours is set at a comfy 70 degrees."
"68. It's my house, I'm paying for it, and I'm going to be comfortable."
"Tell the person who issued this statement if they set their own thermostat to 78 degrees? If they don’t then asked them to try it and let people know if it’s livable in this Texas heat."
"I’ll set it where I want bc I pay my own bill. I’m not going to pay to be uncomfortable."
Editor's Note: The following video was uploaded on May 14