STILLWATER —
With just a few weeks of summer already past, most Oklahomans have been running their air conditioners nonstop for a while now. And as any resident of this state knows, the temperature will not be cooling off for some time.
As the weather warms up, many homeowners see their utility bills rise as well, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist.
“It’s important to keep utility bills manageable, especially for those with limited incomes,” Peek said. “There are some easy, cost-efficient things you can do to increase your home energy savings without sacrificing your comfort.”
One way to help reduce cooling costs is to adjust the thermostat when it can be set for longer periods of time such as when you are at work or at night when you are sleeping.
A programmable thermostat is easy to install and allows homeowners to preset the temperature for times when no one is home, when everyone is home and at night when everyone is sleeping.
Heating and cooling accounts for about half of home energy use. In an effort to keep cooling costs down, make sure your air conditioner well is maintained, whether it is a central air unit or a window unit. It is always a good idea to have your air conditioner checked out by a professional before the hot weather arrives, but it is not too late to get it done now.
“Air conditioner efficiency is measured by SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio,” Peek said. “The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient your unit. Currently the minimum SEER is 13 for central air conditioners. The higher the SEER rating, the greater your savings.”
The recommended temperature for maximum efficiency is 78 F in the morning when everyone is getting ready for work or school. Program your thermostat up to 85 F during the day when no one is home. In the evening when everyone returns home, set the thermostat at 78 F. Bump it up to about 82 F at night when you go to bed. Consider wearing light, natural fabric clothing. V-neck styles can help keep you cool by allowing heat to escape.
Keeping the air filter clean is another way to help lower cooling costs. A dirty filter reduces air flow, which can cause the unit to work less efficiently.
“Everything you can do to reduce your cooling costs is that much more money in your pocket,” Peek said.
Local News
Adjust the thermostat to keep home cooling costs down this summer
- Local News
-
-
Obama plans Oklahoma visit to tour tornado areas
President Barack Obama is expected to visit tornado-ravaged areas of Oklahoma on Sunday and thank volunteers and first-responders for their efforts.
HOW TO HELP | STORM PHOTO GALLERY | EDMOND SCHEDULES DEBRIS PICKUP -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area for the American Red Cross. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the back door to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. Donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway, from 5-10 p.m. -
ME’s office begins identifying Moore, OKC victims
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office today began releasing names of those who perished in Monday’s 17-mile long EF-5 tornado in Moore and Oklahoma City.
As of this morning the official death toll remains at 24. Of those dead are 10 children. -
Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found
The tornado that killed 24 people and injured at least 100 others in the Moore and Oklahoma City area cut a 17-mile-long path that started in Newcastle and ended at Lake Stanley Draper. Nine of the dead are children.
-
EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
-
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. - More Local News Headlines
-
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
