Saturday, July 23, 2011

How Hot Did it Get This Week Where You Live?

What Are You Doing to Keep Cool?

I am just one of thousands of New Jersey residents that lost power during the heat wave. We reached record high temperatures already this week, as did much of the country. Here are some quick and easy tips from my local electric company on saving power during the heat wave:
  1. Turn off everything you're not using, including TVs and computers.
  2. If health conditions permit, raise your air conditioner to 78 degrees. You can save 3 to 5 percent on air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat.
  3. Also use fans to circulate air. Portable and ceiling fans use a tenth of the electricity of an air conditioner and can make 78 degrees feel cooler than it actually is.
  4. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to block summer light and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
  5. Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms.
  6. Check to ensure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans, which will enable cooled air to circulate more frequently.
  7. Cook and use other heat-generating appliances in the early morning and late evening hours whenever possible.

5 comments:

  1. 101 F real feel of 110 - 115 F 46 C I'm following your tips!

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  2. I've unplugged my microwave and kitchen appliances too.

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  3. When I drove by a bank time/temp the other day at 2:00 -- 100 degrees. Did the covering of windows and running of fans. Taking cooler showers and drinking more fluids.

    With the charge we played outside before it got too hot, in the shade, and it was with a water table.

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  4. Debbie: ‎101 F so feels like 110 - 115 F for our UK friends that's 46 C! Crazy! I'm using all the suggestions you listed in your article! Only, I'm keeping the TV on and fridge on. I will be turning off this computer when I'm done too. Good to share those tips!

    Sara: ‎98 with a heat index of 111 or higher. So miserable!

    Samantha: ‎106 in VA beach... heat index 118.. sitting on the beach. 8-)

    Amanda: ‎29 with a heat index of 38, so that's 84 with an index of 100

    Christine: ‎103 here 22 days in a row with it being 100 and over and the humidity is like 70/ no fun

    Sarah: 90 here apparently, but it feels pretty darn hot! We definitely do some of those things already, and will use some more as well. :)

    Pam: ‎100 plus temps for MANY consecutive days...I have lost count...live in the DFW area....TX heat wave & drought. Staying in the AC as much as possible!

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  5. It's 32 deg C in Singapore! Also, I have a baby girl with eczema, whom eczema is triggered by heat.. really stressful whenever it's hot!

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