How hot has it been?

        It's been so hot that Cinergy Corp. and its Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. subsidiary set record peaks for electricity demand Monday for the second time in a week.

        It's been so hot that for the first time in the utility's history, customer demand exceeded 10,000 megawatts for the last two weekends, when demand is typically lower because businesses are closed.

        Cinergy's record peak demand was 11,133 megawatts Monday, breaking the peak of 11,119 megawatts July 22.

        Demand from CG&E customers in Ohio and Kentucky reached 5,265 megawatts Monday, breaking its record of 5,102 megawatts also set July 22. Both July 22 records surpassed previous record peaks set Aug. 8 last year.

        With somewhat cooler temperatures Tuesday, the utility wasn't expecting a new high, although forecasts for more 90-degree weather later in the week could mean another record, Steve Brash, Cinergy spokesman, said. Power demand is being fed by the hotter-than-normal July temperatures and a pickup in industrial and residential demand, he said.

        Cinergy said National Weather Service data it compiles shows that through Monday, this July has been 23 percent warmer than normal and 44 percent warmer than last July.

        Cinergy calculates that based on cooling degree days — the difference between 65 degrees and the day's average temperature. Through Monday, July's cooling degree days totaled 386 compared with the normal 313 . Through the same period last July, the total was 268 cooling degree days.

        Additionally, industrial electric sales, a positive sign for the local economy, were up 4 percent through the three months ended June 30 from a year ago. Residential demand in the same period was up 9 percent from a year ago, reflecting new-home construction, Mr. Brash said.

        Despite the demand, Mr. Brash said Cinergy hasn't had to curtail demand to any of its industrial or commercial customers. In recent years, Cinergy added 1,700 megawatts of gas-fired peaking power, bringing its total peaking power to 2,700 megawatts. The utility also has 10,100 megawatts of mainly coal-fired base load capacity.

        But higher temperatures can mean higher electric bills. CG&E offers budget billing plans for customers concerned about higher bills. The utility also advises:

        • Set thermostats at 76 degrees or higher.

        • Use portable or ceiling fans to circulate air.

        • Clean or replace air-conditioning filters once a month and turn off room units when rooms aren't in use.

        • Install thermostat-regulated attic fans, if possible.

        • Use shades or drapes to block sun from rooms.

        • Avoid using heat-generating appliances such as clothes dryers during the hottest parts of the day.

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