MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – With even hotter temperatures forecast beginning this weekend through next week, Santee Cooper encourages customers to take steps to save energy without sacrificing comfort.
“When temperatures rise, typically, power bills also rise,” said Vicky Budreau, Chief Customer Officer at Santee Cooper. “Customers can make small changes at little or no costs to help them save energy and stay comfortable.”
When temperatures outdoors rise, heat pumps work harder to cool your home to make up the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures. Santee Cooper recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees, or the highest comfortable temperature for you. Run fans in the rooms you’re in, and turn them off when you leave the room. Close window coverings to keep the sun out and keep rooms cooler. Consider cooking on an outdoor grill to prevent your stove or oven from adding heat to the house.
Here are some additional tips to keep your home cooler and use less energy elsewhere to keep your bills lower:
Run dishwashers and clothes dryers during the coolest part of the day. Consider hanging clothes to dry and using the air dry setting on your dishwasher.
Use LEDs instead of incandescent lights, which put off heat, and turn off lights when not needed.
Unplug chargers, computers, and other electronic appliances when not in use to reduce overall energy use.
Avoid streaming on game consoles, which can use more energy than your television.
“We want to be here for our customers during this heat wave, which is why Santee Cooper offers assistance programs and works with other agencies to help people facing financial challenges. If you’re having a difficult time paying your bill, please contact us,” said Budreau.
Customers can find more energy-saving tips on Santee Cooper’s website . Customers having difficulty paying their bills can call Santee Cooper at 800-804-7424 or visit their website for more information.