As Temperatures Soar, Some Tips to Conserve Power

With high temperatures forecast in Encino and Tarzana this week, it's good to be mindful of the best ways to keep cool while minimizing your electricity bill and the impact on the distribution system. The following tips come courtesy of the LA Department of Water and Power.

Tips for the Home:

• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees or more to reduce energy usage.
• Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day - use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
• Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
• Ventilate your home at night and early morning by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
• Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) wherever appropriate.
• During the heat of day, close your draperies, shades, or blinds to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight and check your home for adequate insulation.
• Plant shade trees, to reduce heat gain to the house.
• Install/use whole house fans for comfort cooling. The whole house fan will cool down your house early evenings and early mornings for a fraction of the energy cost of an A/C unit.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.
• Clean or replace your air-conditioner's filter(s) every month to keep your air-conditioner running more efficiently.
• Regularly brush or vacuum the condenser coils at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator and check door gasket for tight fit and adjust if necessary.
• Buy energy-saving Energy Star-labeled appliances.
• Limit the time you run your pool pump: Summer (six hours a day), Winter (four hours a day.)

Tips for the Workplace:

• Turn off your desk and overhead lights, and meeting room lights, if they are not needed, or install motion detectors switch for each room.
• Keep personal appliance use to minimum.
• Turn off all computer equipment when you leave the office or when they are not being used.
• Be sure your computer equipment goes into the sleep mode when not in use.
• Go paperless when possible. Reduced printing and copying translates into reduced energy use.