Summer is now here, and members may start to notice their electric usage increase over the next few days and weeks. Heat waves have brought record temperatures across parts of the West, and Colorado has already experienced many days above 90 degrees this July – with several approaching 100. 

Staying cool and saving energy is possible. Try a few of these simple tips in your home. 

• Adjust your thermostat by a few degrees. Many people will not notice the slight change, but your energy usage will. You can save up to 3% for every degree you adjust the thermostat, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab.
• Use programmable or smart thermostats. You can pre-cool your home so it is comfortable when you return from work or adjust the temperature remotely to save energy when you are away. 
• Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans circulate air to create a “wind chill” effect, cooling you down without actually cooling the room. It pulls heat away from your body making you feel cooler. Paired with adjusting the thermostat, you can stay cooler without making your air conditioning work as hard. Since fans do not cool the room, remember to turn them off in empty rooms. 
• Block out the sun. Remember to close blinds or curtains. Open windows allow sunlight to warm the air in your home, which forces your air conditioner to work harder. 
• Cross ventilate your home. When the sun sets in the evening and the temperatures drop, open your windows to let Colorado’s mild climate do the work for your air conditioning. 

United Power members can access their energy usage history through the Usage Explorer, available for free through SmartHub, the cooperative’s online account management tool. You can learn more about the Usage Explorer here. 

You can find more tips about saving energy this summer here.