◆ Kissimmee Utility

Authority customers used more electricity Wednesday than at any time in the utility’s 117-year history.

The Kissimmee Utility Authority’s 74,000 customers broke a utility record Wednesday for electricity use.

Utility spokesman Chris Gent said customers used more electricity Wednesday than at any time in the utility’s 117-year history, saying scorching temperatures and triple-digit heat indexes had air conditioners working overtime.

KUA recorded a peak use of of 374.5 megawatts at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday.

That eclipsed the previous record of 374.1 megawatts set July 6, 2016.

Gent said customers can save on energy costs by raising the thermostat to 78-80 degrees. Raising the temperature just 2 degrees can reduce cooling costs by as much as 5 percent. He also suggested: 1. Changing or cleaning airconditioner filters at least monthly. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent.

2. Using ceiling and portable fans to keep air moving. Fans only use as much energy as a light bulb.

3. Closing blinds, drapes and shades during the heat of the day. This keeps sun rays from heating a house.

KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility powering 74,000 customers in Osceola County.