Tips to conserve energy

WASHINGTON – Energy companies always urge customers to conserve power when higher temperatures set in.

Here are some things you can do to conserve electricity:

  • Set your air conditioning at 78 when you are home and higher when you are not;
  • Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun and retain cooler air inside;
  • Postpone using major electric household appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until the cooler evening hours;
  • Turn off electric appliances and equipment that you do not need or are not using;
  • Set your electric water heater to 120 degrees instead of 140;
  • Don’t use your stove or oven;
  • Replace or clean your air conditioning filter so it doesn’t have to work as hard.

Should you have an outage, you can report it to your electric company online.

If the electricity goes out, text WTOP at 91035 for phone numbers to contact area electric companies.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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