SMUD offers tips to affordably be cool and comfortable
The first heat wave of 2021 is expected to begin on Wednesday with high temperatures through the week. Power reliability is a core value and SMUD has enough power resources to meet the heat storm, barring a regional or state grid emergency and we have additional crews on standby in the event of an outage.
SMUD also wants customers to know that crews are always ready to respond safely and quickly in the event of local power outages.
While SMUD customers enjoy some of the lowest rates in California, air-conditioning needs can drive customers’ energy usage and bills.
It’s easy to keep energy use in check without giving up cooling comfort. The first step is keeping your home from heating up, which can reduce immediate cooling costs and help save on long-term costs from wear and tear on cooling equipment.
SMUD has energy-saving solutions available on itswebsiteand offers the following tips to save money:
• In the summer, use fans and close blinds on windows that get direct sun.
• Set your thermostat to 80 degrees. For every two degrees that you turn your thermostat up, you can save 5-10% on cooling costs.
• Use a programmable/smart thermostat to help control HVAC.
• Turn off lights and/or switch to LEDs.
• Avoid running large appliances at the same time and/or run them in the morning to save money.
• Prepare cool meals, or use the BBQ or small kitchen appliances that don’t heat up your home.
• Customers can also get customized tips, manage their bills and set up alerts on the website.
In the event of an outage, customers can report and track restoration times atsmud.org/Outagesand on the SMUD app.
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