Six Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer

High temps in the mid-valley today are expected to be in the upper 70's to lower 80's.

Some Oregonians escape to the Oregon Coast when temps rise above 80 degrees in the Willamette Valley. Photo: Kevin Hays

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - When the temperature rises, do you reach for the thermostat to cool down?

Before you do, consider these energy-saving tips from Pacific Power:

1. Be air conditioner smart: • Set your thermostat at 78 degrees. Every degree below that can increase your air conditioning bill as much as 8 percent. • Don't turn off the air conditioner when you're gone; set it at 85 degrees. It will take less electricity to cool the house from 85 degrees than if the air conditioning has been off all day. • Use a programmable thermostat or air conditioner timer; set it to start bringing your home's temperature from 85 degrees down to 78 degrees no more than 30 minutes before you get home. • Replace air conditioner filters once a month. • Don't place lamps or televisions near the air conditioner thermostat; they will impact its accuracy. • Your air conditioner will operate most efficiently if you trim foliage near your air conditioner to allow adequate air flow around the unit. • Don't block inside distribution vents with furniture or other objects.

2. Don't let the sun shine in: • On warm days, close blinds and drapes, especially in south-facing windows which allow in the most heat.

3. Open windows in the evening and circulate cool air: • Open windows in evening and early morning to let in cool air. Be aware, however, of any safety or security issues. • Use fans to bring in and circulate cool air. Ceiling and window fans use less electricity than an air conditioner when the compressor is engaged. Running an air conditioner in fan-only mode can also be effective as the outside temperature drops.

4. Reduce the heat inside: • Use ovens, dishwashers and dryers in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. • Grill outside or use a microwave or toaster oven. A toaster oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a regular oven. • Turn off heat-generating devices when not in use, including lamps, televisions and computers.

5. Think for the long term: • Plant deciduous trees to shade the south side of your house. Well-placed trees can reduce cooling needs as much as 20 percent, and an air conditioner operating in the shade can use as much as 10 percent less electricity than one in the sun. • Insulate floors, walls and attics to keep cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Seal and insulate air conditioning ducts that run through unconditioned spaces. • Get your air conditioner tuned up annually. • Consider a new air conditioner and other appliances — new models are more efficient and may lower your electric bill. Look for ENERGY STAR appliances.

6. Try these additional simple steps: • Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about one-quarter the energy of an incandescent bulb and last seven to 10 times longer. • Switch your energy usage to off-peak hours (10:00 PM to 5:00 AM) whenever possible; use the dishwasher, washer and dryer in the early morning or late evening. • Unplug items not in use, including cell phone and other chargers – even if they're not charging an item, they're drawing energy. • Finally, check out Pacific Power's energy-and money-saving tips and programs at www.pacificpower.net.