Tips to stay cool, save money

With summer's heat set to bear down, PECO is offering tips on staying cool and reducing utility costs. Here's some of them:

· Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your apartment or home.
· Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances.

· Keep your thermostat set at a constant, comfortable level. On the hottest days of the summer with temperatures greater than 90 degrees, raising the thermostat setting just a few degrees will save money.

· To reduce heat and moisture in your apartment or home, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late evening hours when it’s generally cooler. Use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside if possible.

· Use fans to circulate cooled air. This will more evenly distribute cool air and ease the strain on your air conditioner. For those without air conditioning, be sure to partially open windows for cross ventilation.

· If you use window air conditioner units, place them on the north or shady side of the apartment or house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.

· Check the condition of your air conditioner’s filter monthly .

-- Brian McCullough