RALEIGH – Setting home and work thermostats up to two degrees higher, between 78 and 80 degrees, during the next few days can have a dramatic impact cutting electric demand and saving on utility bills as the current heatwave will spike demand for electricity. Jon Williams, N.C. Secretary of Commerce for Energy urges the state’s citizens to take some simple steps to conserve energy, stay cool and safe during this time of extraordinarily high temperatures.
“If every customer adjusts the thermostat just up to two degrees, it will cut down on the demand for power, help avoid potential blackouts and control utility bills,” Williams said.
Nearly the entire state, 85 of 100 counties, are under a National Weather Service heat advisory or watch as temperatures are expected to hit triple digits for the next few days. The heat index, which measures the impact of the combined temperature and humidity on people, is expected to exceed 110 degrees with temperatures remaining, possibly in the triple digits through the weekend. While the state’s major utility companies have not experienced any power production problems, they anticipate record-breaking demands for electricity. Utilities are asking customers to voluntarily conserve power during the late afternoons, when demand for electricity is the greatest.
The N.C. Energy Office offers these tips for reducing energy use in the home and at work:
- Set the thermostat to 78 to 80 degrees or higher when your home or business is occupied, and 85 degrees when unoccupied. Consider installing a programmable thermostat, which can be bought at most major home improvement stores, to perform this task for you.
- Do not set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on the air conditioner. It will not cool the building faster and, if you forget to change the setting, can result in excessive cooling and unnecessary energy consumption.
- Use shades and blinds to keep the sun out and secure windows tightly to prevent air conditioning loss.
- Station fans in areas of your home or work where you spend time. Consider installing ceiling fans in bedrooms and other high occupancy areas. Use ceiling fans only when a room is occupied.
- Perform regular maintenance on cooling equipment such as cleaning condenser coils, checking refrigerant pressures, changing belts and filters and fixing duct leaks.
- If replacing a central air conditioning unit any older appliances and electronic equipment, consider ENERGY STAR® products, which use significantly less energy.
- Place your gas water heater on “vacation” mode or turn off your electric water heater when you leave town for extended periods of time.
- Use full washer loads when washing clothes or dishes, and use the air-drying cycle instead of the heat-drying cycle.
- Install or replace worn weather stripping on exterior doors, windows or attic entry doors.
For more information, go online to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac
The N.C. Departments of Health & Human Services and Public Safety offer these tips during the high temperatures to help avoid heat-related health problems:
- Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even for just a few minutes. Car interiors can quickly heat up and cause serious injury or death.
- Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water but avoid caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. If you exercise or work outside, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage may replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Protect yourself from the sun and keep cool by wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outside.
- Stay indoors and if at all possible, in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, try to find a neighbor, relative or public place that does. Just a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Avoid, as much as possible, using your stove and oven. This will help keep cooler temperatures in your home.
- If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.
- If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. When working in the heat, have plenty of water available and monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness.
More specific tips for avoiding heat injuries are located on the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ website at: http://www.publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/heat.htm.