SMUD offers tips to stay cool and save money

Nine days of 100-degree temperatures forecasted

A heat wave is forecasted to begin today with temperatures at or above 100 degrees through next week. Power reliability is a core value and SMUD has enough power resources to meet expected demand, barring a grid or other emergency such as wildfire or unexpected power shortfall.

While SMUD customers enjoy some of the lowest rates in California, air-conditioning needs can drive customers’ energy usage and bills higher. To help keep energy use in check without giving up cooling comfort, the first step is to keep a home from heating up, which can help reduce air conditioning usage during the peak hours of 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays.

SMUD has energy-saving solutions available on its website at smud.org/Heatwave and 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 78 degrees or higher. For every two degrees that you turn your thermostat up, you can save 5-10 percent on cooling costs.
• Use a programmable/smart thermostat to help control HVAC.
• Turn off lights and/or switch to LEDs.
• Avoid running large appliances during the peak hours of 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Prepare cool meals, use the BBQ or small appliances that don’t heat up your home.
• Customers can also get customized tips, manage their bills and set up alerts on the SMUD website at smud.org/MyAccount or via the SMUD mobile app.

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

About SMUD

As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. 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. Today, SMUD’s power supply is on average about 50 percent carbon free and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity production by 2030. For more information on SMUD’s Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.