Nashville, Tenn. – With five straight days of 100-degree temperatures in the weather forecast, Nashville Electric Service (NES) is encouraging customers to take extra steps to conserve energy, especially during the peak hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when energy usage is at its highest on our system. During Peak Hours Use appliances and other electric devices sparingly. Try limiting it to one appliance at a time. Delay using hot water so that the demand on your water heater is less. Increase the setting on your thermostat by two or three degrees. The weather can have a dramatic impact on your electric bill, said Jim Purcell, NES Energy Services Manager. A five degree higher temperature outside means that your air conditioning system is working much harder to maintain the comfort level inside your home. To keep your bill under control during extreme heat, NES suggests turning your thermostat up a degree or two above where you normally keep it. We recommend a setting of 78 degrees or higher. Try using fans to increase your comfort level at the higher thermostat setting. And, dont forget to close the blinds or shades in your windows that receive direct sunlight to block out the suns heat and reduce your cooling load. Quick & Easy Tips to Save Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use. Most new electronics still use electricity even when switched “off.” Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don’t really need it. Be a speedy chef. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove. Always use cold water to rinse clothes in the washer, and line dry when you can. Reduce the operating time of your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep to 4-5 hours during off-peak times. For more energy-saving advice, visit Ways to Save at nespower.com. Nashville Electric Service is one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation, distributing energy to more than 360,000 customers in Middle Tennessee. For more information about NES, visit www.nespower.com.
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