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July 10, 2012

Keep Cool While Reducing Your Energy Use

This week's hot weather presents an ideal opportunity for people to think about ways to reduce electricity use. Here are some tips from Idaho Power:

Cool your home efficiently

• Use fans in occupied rooms and reduce air-conditioner use.
• Open windows at night on opposite sides of the home when safe to do so, and blow air in the cooler side and out the warmer side.
• Use a programmable thermostat to pre-cool the house just one hour before arriving home each day.
• Raise your thermostat setpoint—you can save three percent on cooling costs for each degree you raise it.
• Remember to close windows in the morning!

Avoid heating up your house

• Keep lights turned off.
• Monitor gaming systems, televisions and stereo equipment to ensure they’re off when not in use.
• Wait until your car has cooled off before driving it into the garage.
• Cook outdoors.
• Use kitchen fans when cooking or baking indoors.
• Use the laundry room fan when the dryer is on, or hang clothes outdoors.
• Keep curtains closed.

More information about ways to reduce electricity use is available from the Energy Efficiency section of our website.

Communications Specialist Anne Alenskis
208-388-2460
aalenskis@idahopower.com