Washington , D.C. - For the third straight day, Pepco set an unofficial new peak demand for electricity today as unyielding heat and humidity forced customers to rely on air conditioning for relief.

Wednesday's record peak of 6,865 megawatts was surpassed at the 4 p.m. hour today. The new, unofficial peak is 6,888 MW. One megawatt of electricity in enough to power about 800 to 1,000 homes. On an average summer day, Pepco customers use about 5,300 MW. The new peak is subject to adjustment when additional transmission system data is available.

Prior to this week's heat wave, the previous all-time peak demand of 6,725 MW occurred on July 27, 2005 . It was surpassed Tuesday afternoon as the effects of the heat wave gripped the mid-Atlantic region.

Pepco has been able to meet demand with good performance from its distribution system with relatively few scattered outages that were heat related. Pepco's distribution system has run at full capacity to meet the power demand despite almost no nighttime cooling, as occurs in normal weather.

Pepco continues to urge customers to use energy wisely, especially during peak usage hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and offers the following conservation tips:

• Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retain cooler air inside your home, apartment or business.
  
• Postpone using major heat-producing appliances like electric stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until the evening hours; if possible, delay using them until the extreme heat subsides.
  
• Set your air-conditioner thermostat higher than usual, 75-78 degrees, if health permits.
  
• Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and equipment. This is especially important for business customers of all types.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 745,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia .