Turn up the thermostat a few degrees to save on the cost of keeping cool this summer.
MAYS LANDING -With a four-day heatwave coming this week, Atlantic City Electric wants to help customers use less energy, keep bills as low as possible and to support customers who may be facing financial challenges.
The utility is offering the following money-saving tips:
- Check your thermostat. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher if health permits. You can save about two percent on your bill for every degree you raise your thermostat. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can adjust the temperature while you are away and can connect to your mobile devices should your plans change.
- Adjust your blinds and drapes. Lower the blinds and close your drapes during the day to keep cool air inside and to keep the heating effects of the hot sun out.
- Turn on ceiling fans to evenly distribute cool air throughout your home. If reversible, make sure the fans are spinning counterclockwise for summer.
- Maximize efficiency. Ensure that ducts and fans are not blocked by furniture. This will enable cool air to circulate freely, making your home more comfortable. Consider a tune up for your air conditioner and change air filters as well to improve efficiency.
- Check housing vents. Some homes have top and bottom return vents with levers. In the summer, open the top vent and close the bottom vent since heat rises.
- Manage appliances. Run appliances that produce heat (such as clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.
- Manage your bill on My Account. Atlantic City Electric's online energy management tools show you how much energy you are using. You can also get tips based on your energy saving goals.
- Sign up for usage alerts. Customers can sign up for energy usage alerts to better understand how and when they are using energy, get an early warning when they are headed toward a bill that is higher than usual and find smart ways to make their home more efficient. Sign up at atlanticcityelectric.com/Alerts.
Atlantic City Electric offers payment arrangements and programs such as Budget Billing, where customers can avoid seasonal peaks in their energy bills by dividing their payments evenly over the course of the entire year. It also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at atlanticcityelectric.com/WaysToSave.
The company encourages residential customers to apply for energy assistance and take advantage of the millions of dollars that remain available through programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Customers can visit atlanticcityelectric.com/EnergyAssistance or call 800-642-3780 to learn about additional energy assistance programs.
