See Energy-Saving Tips From PECO As Summertime Heat Approaches

PHILADELPHIA — It's getting warm in the Philadelphia region. And with warmer temperatures comes increased need for cooling, and thus an increased demand on the electrical grid.

PECO is offering up tips on how to use less energy amid sweltering summer heat.

These are some ways to keep bills low while still staying cool all summer, courtesy of PECO:

Turn it off

Turn off all unnecessary lighting and devices.

Manage your thermostat

Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level when at home and increase by 7 degrees when no one is home. Start with an indoor temperature between 75-78 degrees during the day. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you are away or sleeping.

Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed

In the summer, consider closing window coverings to reduce heat gain. For natural light, open those window coverings that don’t get direct sunlight.

Use ceiling fans to circulate air

Ceiling fans are the most effective type of circulating fan. They help improve comfort year-round by effectively circulating air throughout a room. In summer, run ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.

Service your AC

Make sure to replace or clean the air filters for your cooling system at least once a month (or as often as recommended by the manufacturer) and have your system serviced regularly. It can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5-15 percent.

Choose Energy-Efficient Products

When buying new cooling equipment, select energy-efficient products. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing new products.

Weatherize Your Home

Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to reduce cooling costs and increase comfort.

Use appliances wisely

Run appliances that produce heat (like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.

PECO also said its team has been working to ensure its infrastructure is up for the task of providing energy amid a high-demand season.

Prior to the summer months, PECO works to prepare its infrastructure and test processes and procedures to ensure safe and reliable service all summer long when energy demand is the highest.

According to PECO, this includes completing hundreds of tasks to prepare for summer, such as system work to enhance capacity and prevent outages, testing and drills to keep storm response skills sharp, and proactive shift planning to ensure crews are ready to respond to severe summer storms or emergencies. This coincides with PECO’s inspection and maintenance program that helps identify and correct any issues before outages occur.

"We are always focused on delivering safe and reliable service for our customers, especially during peak seasonal temperatures when customers are relying on us to help keep their homes and businesses comfortable," Nicole LeVine, PECO SVP and COO, said. "PECO’s summer 2024 reliability performance was better than historical four-year averages, which underscores the fact that these significant investments and use of innovative technologies are providing positive impacts for our customers."