Minnesota heat wave: Tips for keeping your home cool in this heat
Jun 06, 2021 05:25AM ● By EditorWatch the KARE 11 Report here
By John Croman of KARE11 News - June 5, 2021
With all of these record-breaking hot temperatures, we checked in with air conditioning technicians and the folks at Xcel Energy on the best way to hold onto our cool air without running up a high electric bill.
As it turns out, there are many practical tips that will keep you from overworking your AC system during the heat wave, and save you money in the long run.
- Closing drapes and blinds during the heat of the day
- Opening interior doors to improve the circulation of cool air inside
- Using ceiling fans to help circulate cool air through the home
- Using a whole-house or attic fan to draw in cool nighttime air and push out hot air during the day
- Changing air conditioning filters
- Installing a programmable thermostat that raises the setting when the house is empty, and lowers it to a comfortable level when everyone comes home
John Marshall of Xcel Energy also recommended against using major household appliances during the hottest part of the day, both because of the heat they generate and the energy load.
"If you have appliances – dishwasher, washing machine, dryer -- only run them with full loads and run them at night when that heat has dissipated," Marshall told KARE.
He said those who don't have a smart thermostat yet should aim for the mid 70's on their traditional thermostats or higher if they can tolerate the heat. For a full list of tips and information on rebates available for adopting energy efficient technology, go to this page on Xcel Energy's website.
Marshall said that Xcel is ready for the heat wave.
"We’re prepared to keep energy flowing to those customers throughout the heat wave, again these are the times of year we prepare for – we ramp up crews, prepare for any storms that might roll in that we’re not forecasting," Marshall said.
He said there may be spot outages, but not necessarily caused by peak demand for electricity. Customers can use the website or smart phone apps to report outages, and see the map of outages in their area.
To watch the original report and see related stories, follow this link to the KARE 11 News website. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/tips-for-keeping-your-cool-in-the-crushing-heat/89-4efe5d2...
