Extreme cold leads to record winter electric usage

TULSA, Okla. — PSO says, unofficially, that customers hit an all-time high for winter-time electricity usage on New Year's Day.  Usage for Monday was 2,900 megawatts, which is just 1,500 megawatts short of last summer's peak, 4,400 megawatts.

PSO says customers typically see a cheaper bill in the winter months than in the summer, and they expect January cost to still be less than summer despite the spike.

People wanting to save should consider installing a humidifier, fixing loose or broken duct work, opening south-facing blinds and lowering the temperature when away from the home, among other things.