Staying cool, Saving energy

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Staying cool, saving energy

Welcome to June in Oklahoma! As the temperatures climb and we all look for ways to stay cool, many air conditioners and fans are suddenly working overtime. If that is the case in your household, the Grand River Dam Authority hopes you will consider these cooling and energy saving tips, courtesy of the United States Department of Energy (energy.gov): 

• Of course, it is ALWAYS safety first. Contact a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home. That includes working on your air conditioner and other cooling equipment.  
• If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan to shut off at the same time as the compressor, which is usually done by setting the "auto" mode on the fan setting. Then, use individual fans to circulate the cool air through your home.
• If you have a whole-house fan, consider using it to keep cool. These fans work in many climates and cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. Use the fan most effectively to cool down your home during cooler times of the day. It will stay cooler through the hotter times of the day without using the fan.
• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
• Set your thermostat at as high a temperature as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
• Consider using an interior fan along with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
• Finally, avoid placing appliances that give off heat such as lamps or TVs near a thermostat.

Your friends at GRDA want you to stay safe, and cool, this summer!

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.