Quick Tips to Beat the Heat

August 03, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – Now that summer temperatures have taken hold in the Northwest, Pacific Power wants to remind customers how to beat the heat, use less energy and save money.

• Get some fresh air. Open your windows during the early morning and evening, and use ENERGY STAR fans to circulate the fresh air.
   
• Keep clear of the sun. Close blinds and drapes during the warmest parts of the day. Keeping the sunlight out of your home will keep it cooler.
   
• Be AC savvy. Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you’re home, and 85 when you’re away. Running your AC at temperatures lower than 78 degrees can increase your electricity bill by up to 8 percent. Also, keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
   
• Reduce indoor heat. Push the use of heat-producing appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers to cooler parts of the day. Grilling outside, washing dishes by hand and air-drying clothes are great alternatives.
   
• Try weatherproofing. Weatherproofing isn’t just for the winter months. Insulation and weather strips also are a great way to keep cool air in and hot air out.
   
• Start planting. Plant deciduous trees on the south side of your home. Well-placed trees can reduce cooling needs as much as 20 percent, and an air conditioner operating in the shade can use as much as 10 percent less electricity.
   
• Recycle old appliances. Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators, especially if they spend the summer outdoors or in a garage. Better yet, have your old refrigerator or freezer picked up for proper recycling and earn a cash incentive. Check out pacificpower.net for more on appliance recycling and cash incentives.

Lastly, unplug. Make a conscious effort to unplug items not in use. Even if they’re not on, they’re drawing energy. For more wattsmart energy and money-saving tips visit pacificpower.net

About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to more than 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the U.S., providing approximately 1.7 million customers with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. For more information, visit the website at www.pacificpower.net.