SMUD offers tips to stay cool and save money

Seven days of 100-degree temperatures forecasted

A heat wave is forecasted to begin today with temperatures at or above 100 degrees through next weekend. 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. Heading into the summer, the power supply is expected to be tight across California and the west due to a number of factors including moderate to extreme drought conditions across California that have impacted availability of hydro resources as well as changes to market rules and requirements. 

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 – 8 p.m. weekdays.

SMUD has energy-saving solutions available on its website at smud.org/EnergyTips 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. 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 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 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.