NEWARK, N.J., May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Summer is
approaching, which likely means higher electric bills as people
turn on fans and air conditioners to help keep cool. Demand
for electricity can also increase if you have house guests or
children home for the summer. The following tips can help you
plan ahead and control energy costs:
- Use ceiling fans in the counter-clockwise direction to create a
wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler. Also, whole-house fans
that bring in cooler night-time air can pre-cool a house and reduce
energy use in the daytime if heat is kept out by closing windows
and shades.
- Install a programmable thermostat. If health conditions
permits, raise the setting from 73 to 78 degrees. You can save 3 to
5 percent on your air conditioning costs for each degree you raise
the thermostat.
- Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have
central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms. Keep
filters clean.
- Plant shade trees close to the house on the South and West
sides.
- Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows. Eliminate
air leaks between window air conditioners and windows with foam
insulation or weather-stripping.
- Turn off power sources. TVs, computers and other electronic
devices draw power when they are in standby mode or turned off but
still plugged in. Plug electronics into power strips and turn
off the power switch when the items are not in use.
- Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75
percent less electricity and burn more coolly than incandescent
bulbs. Keep in mind that CFLs are especially handy in hard-to-reach
fixtures and won't need to be replaced for about five years.
- Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor
lighting.
- Delay heat-producing tasks such as laundry until later in the
day. Wash full loads, using cold water whenever possible.
- Run the dishwasher at night, using the shortest cycle that will
get the dishes clean. If manufacturers' directions permit,
turn the dishwasher off before the dry cycle or use the air dry
feature if your machine has one.
- Take short showers. They use less hot water than a
bath.
- Replace old appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star
appliances.
- Unplug the extra refrigerator in your garage or basement and
use it only when necessary. Refrigerators that are only 10 years
old can use twice as much electricity as new Energy Star labeled
models.
For step-by-step instructions on how to save money in your home,
visit PSEG's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/psegvideo. We
encourage you to share the information with family and friends.
For additional ways to save energy and money, visit
www.pseg.com/customer/home.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is
New Jersey's oldest and largest
regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly
three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the
winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system
reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified
energy company (www.pseg.com).
Want to know what's new at PSEG? Go to
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SOURCE Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G)