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.