For Immediate Release: August 13, 2020

Prepare for summer heat waves with SMUD's energy saving tips

How to stay comfortable and save money

Sacramento is expecting a heat wave, with temperatures above 100 degrees for the next 10 days. While SMUD customers enjoy some of the lowest rates in California, air-conditioning needs can drive customer usage and bills, especially now during the COVID-19 crisis. So, SMUD is offering tips on how to stay comfortable in your homes, while saving money.

“First and foremost, we want people to stay safe,” said Frankie McDermott, SMUD’s Chief Energy Delivery Officer. “We have enough power resources to meet demand, barring a regional or state grid emergency, and we have additional crews available to quickly restore power in the event of an outage.”

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 its website and offers the following tips to save money:

  • In the summer, use fans and close blinds on windows that get direct sun.
  • Swap out light bulbs for LEDs.
  • Use a programmable/smart thermostat to help control HVAC.
  • Customers can also get customized tips, manage their bills and set up alerts on the website.
  • Turning the temperature up just 2 degrees, can save 5-10% on cooling costs.

In the event of an outage, customers can report and track restoration times at SMUD.org/Outages.

About SMUD

As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit SMUD.org.