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PUC sends out yellow conservation alert for week
TXU Energy sent out this release, noting that the Public Utility Commission of Texas has issued a yellow conservation alert for this week because of high temperatures that could cause record electricity demand.
On yellow days, extra conservation measures are urged because electricity shortages may occur during peak usage hours between 3 and 7 p.m.
With the release TXU Energy sent out these suggestions for helping Texans conserve their energy usage:
Set thermostats at 78 degrees. Use ceiling fans in the “down” mode at the highest speed to push cooler air back into the room.
By lowering the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, you’ll save electricity while providing comfortable hot water for most uses.
Turn off your computer and monitor when you’re not using them. Using a “sleep” mode can reduce your computer’s energy usage by half.
Always make sure you’re washing full loads of dishes or clothes. Each wash uses the same amount of electricity whether it’s a full load or not.
If you have a microwave oven, use it. Microwaves use about half the electricity of a stove or oven and cook food in significantly less time.
Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when they’re full but not overloaded.
Allow at least one inch of space on each side of your refrigerator for circulation. Poor airflow can increase your refrigerator’s energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
Minimize the number of times you open and close doors to the outside. Be especially careful of sliding glass doors to your porch or balcony that might be left open.
More energy-saving tips are at www.txu.com/beattheheat.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Consumer information
Comments
By DDD
August 4, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
78 is kinda high and the ceiling fans just blow hot air. I am sooooooo sorry I can’t do that one.
By Elizabeth
August 4, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
lol my thermostat hasn’t gone below 80 all summer and the bill is still over 250.00
By wanman
August 4, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
We keep our AC set at 79 and fans going and it is comfortable. We also keep most of our overhead lights off and use mainly our lamps with the energy saver bulbs in them. Believe it or not this helps out with the heat in the house.