ORLANDO – Temperatures soared this
week and so did demand for electricity.
With temperatures reaching
as high as 95 degrees in Orlando on Wednesday, July 27, OUC-The Reliable
One recorded a new system peak of 1,132 megawatts. The record exceeds the
previous high of 1,120 MW set nearly three weeks earlier on July 7.
On July 5, St. Cloud recorded a new peak of 127 MW, which
topped the previous record of 120 MW set in June 2004.
To help keep your electric
bills down when the temperatures rise, OUC recommends that you:
- Set your
thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, although some customers may need to keep
the temperature a little cooler. Each degree you raise the thermostat above 78
degrees will save 6 to 8 percent on your cooling bill.
- Keep
your central A/C unit on auto. To increase savings even more, turn off the
unit completely or set it to 85 degrees when you're away from home for more
than four hours.
- Replace
air filters monthly.
- Use
shades, drapes and blinds to keep the sun and heat out.
- Use
ceiling fans to feel cooler, but turn them off when you leave the room.
Click here for more tips
on how to save energy throughout the year and to learn how to conduct your own
home energy audit.
