Rising Temperatures and Energy Bills

As the temperatures are rising, so are your Summer energy bills! Record breaking heat is making you crank the ACs just to try to stay cool!
In the Central Plains, temperatures have been soaring well into the 90s accompanied with dewpoints in the 70s plus = heat indices OVER 100 degreesF. That is some impressive, oppressive heat!
This week it is OUR turn, as a Bermuda High sets up shop cranking the heat pump into full blast!
Temperatures in the New Jersey metro area are expected to reach the 90s in addition to high dewpoints and humidity, it will also feel well into the 100s through the week (at least we have the unsettled possibility of having scattered showers and storms to momentarily cool things down, other have not been so fortunate).

Things to keep in mind:
- Keeping hydrated is paramount! If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated!
- Try not to workout or even be outside between the hours of 2-4 p.m. as it is the solar noon where the Sun is the strongest and at the highest point of the sky.
- Wear WHITE or LIGHT clothing, as these colors will reflect the sunlight making you feel a lot cooler then you would wearing black or dark colors.
- Do not keep pets outside too long, they suffer in the heat as well.
- Check on elderly and children; they both are highly sensitive to heat exhaustion/stroke.

Just remember to be smart when out in the heat... it's some scary stuff and nothing you want to mess with.

Here are some tips to help you lower your energy costs as "Heat Wave #5" barrels down on the New Jersey metro area:

- If you have your ACs on... set the temperature a little higher (like @ around 72ish degreesF) and at a low speed setting; you will use significantly less energy.
- Make sure ALL windows and doors are closed to prevent the outside heat from leaking in and help your AC from not running so much.
- If the temperature is cooler (and bearable), especially in the evenings, give the AC a break and open the windows.
- During the daytime, draw the blinds/shades to block the sun, do this especially during the hottest part of the day (from noon until sunset).
- Plant trees or vegetation to shade your WEST-FACING windows/doors. The shade will shield your house from the heat and sun rays, and the transpiration (moisture released from the plants) will allow for a bit more cooling, at least outside.
- Cut the time for your HOT showers. How water will use you water heater more and thus using more energy to make the water hot.
- ...This also applies to doing a load of laundry: set the water to warm or cold, it will put less work on your water heater... keep the hot water for heavy duty cleaning only.
- Try not to use the dryer (when doing laundry). The heat outside is a natural air/clothing dryer!
- Check out installing ceiling fans in your house. You can keep the thermostat at a higher temperature, or just turn it off all together if you have the ceiling fans keeping air circulation.
- If you do not have an AC or ceiling fans, just simply placing a fan in your window can cool a room significantly! Oh, how I remember those college dorm days...
- When cooking, try not to cook with the oven during the really hot days. This will just add more heat to the house and make the AC run even more just to try to cool the house down even more! Quick fix: Cook outside on the grill (plus nothing tastes better then a burger on a grill on a hot Summer day!

Keep it cool!

~ V.S.