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GRDA Power For Progress Column July 8, 2019
Jul 09, 2019
Power for Progress…
A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority
A cool way to practice energy efficiency
July in Oklahoma typically means high temperatures and this year’s forecast is following that path. While the weather outdoors is heating up, many of us are looking for ways to keep things cool indoors. That means air conditioners and fans are getting quite a workout right now. If that is the case in your household or business, the Grand River Dam Authority is once again sharing these cooling and energy saving tips that can save both electricity and money. They are courtesy of the United States Department of Energy (energy.gov):
- It’s 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.
- 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. Don’t make the system work any harder than it has to.
Your friends at GRDA hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric 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.
Photo Caption Information: A cool way to save … It’s that time of year when air-conditioners and cooling systems really get a workout. However, it is possible to stay cool and do it efficiently. This week, GRDA passes along some helpful tips from energy.gov that can come in handy during hot weather.
Justin Alberty
Vice President of Corporate Communications
Grand River Dam Authority
(918) 256 5545
jalberty@grda.com