Conserve energy while staying cool in summer

The month of July has been a hot one this year.

Recent heat advisories and even an excessive heat advisory have resulted in air conditioners working overtime.

High temperatures reached 109 degrees in some areas with a heat index of 115 during peak heating times.

During this unusually hot season with above average temperatures, homes are requiring two to three times as much energy for cooling than during the same period last year, according to information from AEP-Swepco.

For people who simply kept things the same, and even those who increased the temperature on their thermostats, air conditioning systems ran longer— and therefore used more energy—to maintain cooler temperatures inside homes.

So how bad will that next electric bill be?

There are a lot of factors at play— from how well your home is insulated, to your air conditioning system working overtime to combat the severe heat.

The following are some no-cost and low-cost ways to lower your bill:

■ It’s best to avoid the heavy housework between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Save cleaning dishes, using the oven and washing laundry for cooler parts of the day. These appliances create heat and moisture that put an extra strain on your air conditioner.

■ Keep direct sunlight out as much as possible. Close curtains, shades and blinds to hold down the temperature inside the home.

■ Be sure the damper on your fireplace is tightly closed to prevent air loss.

■ Clean or change the air filters in your A/C unit. Dirty filters cause the equipment to work harder, using up to 5 percent more energy than a clean filter.

■ Use fans to circulate the air. The breeze makes the air feel cooler that it is. Fans only cost $1-2 a month to operate.

■ Properly ventilate your attic to prevent excess heat build-up, which causes your A/C system to work harder.

■ Upgrading or installing insulation can reduce cooling costs by as much as 20 percent.

■ Replace old weather stripping around doors and windows to prevent leaks.

Visit SWEPCO.com/SAVE to learn more about saving energy.

Some electric customers may also qualify for:

■ An extended payment agreement. In cases where bill payments have fallen behind, it may make sense to consider setting up a payment arrangement. Phone representatives can describe specifics based on each situation.

■ An Average Monthly Payment plan (AMP). AMP averages out payments throughout the year to account for seasonal spikes in usage. Bills adjust on a 12-month rolling average and change only slightly each month, making bills more predictable.

■ A payment assistance program. Electric companies can provide eligibility guidelines, contact information and program specifics for local and state assistance organizations, and work with those organizations to verify information and accept agency assistance pledges.