PSE&G Suggests Ways to Beat the Heat and Higher Electric Bills

Summer heat is here in force and demand for electricity is rising as people turn on fans and air conditioners to keep cool.

With unavoidable increases in the cost of energy, electric bills are higher this summer. PSE&G is encouraging customers to save energy and money by taking steps to help keep their electric bills under control.

• Turn off everything you’re not using, including TVs and computers. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.

• Use fans to draw cooler air inside during the night and circulate air during the day. Even if you have air conditioning, ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better circulation so that you can raise the thermostat and reduce air conditioning costs.

• Close blinds, shades and draperies facing south and/or west to block summer light and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.

• Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms.

• Delay heat-producing tasks such as doing laundry until later in the day. Wait until loads are full and wash with cold water whenever possible, using cold water laundry detergent.

• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and use the shortest cycle that will get your dishes clean. If operating instructions permit, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, open the door, and let the dishes dry naturally.

• Unplug the extra refrigerator in your garage or basement and use it only when necessary. A refrigerator in an uncooled space uses more energy on hot summer days than it does during the winter. Refrigerators that are only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as new Energy Star labeled models.

• Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks between window air conditioners and windows with foam insulation or weather-stripping.

• If possible, install a programmable thermostat and set it to your daily and weekend schedule. If health permits, raise your thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees, which can save as much as 15 percent in cooling costs this summer. Remember to clean and replace air conditioner filters regularly, following manufacturer’s instructions.

• Convert to energy-efficient, low wattage, compact fluorescent lighting and fixtures to lower your lighting costs. Remember to recycle the light bulbs at stores like Ikea or take them to your county’s hazardous waste collection facility on drop-off days.

For more energy saving tips and to conduct a free online home energy analysis, visit www.pseg.com/saveenergy. Click on the “At Home with Energy Star” video podcast to watch a home improvement expert take you through a real home for more ideas on how to save on your energy bill.