With a stifling heat wave still blanketing our area, Umatilla Electric wants to remind our members how to beat the heat, use less energy and minimize wildfire risk.
Beat the heat:
- Circulate some fresh air. Open your windows during the early morning and evening, when temperatures are at their lowest, and use fans to circulate the fresh air.
- Once the temperatures start to rise, keep clear of the sun. Close blinds and drapes during the warmest parts of the day. Keeping the sunlight out of your home will keep it cooler.
Use less energy:
- It’s hot. You want your home cool but be AC savvy. Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees. Running your AC at temperatures lower than 78 degrees can increase your electricity bill by up to 8 percent. Also, keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects. Make sure the outside unit is free of obstructions.
- Invest in a smart thermostat. Fifty percent of your energy bill consists of heating and cooling costs. These programmable thermostats can automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance. UEC offers a $100 rebate on qualifying devices.
- Reduce indoor heat. Push the use of heat-producing appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers to cooler parts of the day. Grilling outside, washing dishes by hand and air-drying clothes are great alternatives.
Wildfire safety:
- Strictly follow local and state fire advisories. Most parts of Eastern Oregon are under strict burn bans. Visit our Avoiding Wildfire Damage page for tips on “hardening” your home to protect your property from wildfire.
- Prepare for worst-case scenario and have a plan. Visit our Outage Center to learn about wildfire safety measures such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, emergency plan templates and safety tips.
- Update your contact and medical device information. Keeping your information current makes it easier for us to contact you when it’s necessary. If you depend on an electric powered medical device, let us know. Visit our website to complete our online form or login to SmartHub and let us know what’s changed.