Here are cost-saving tips to keep your home cool during Sacramento heat wave

Sacramento is going head to head with a heatwave this week — with triple digits expected Friday and Saturday — which means some residents will be cranking their air conditioning and seeing higher electricity bills in the coming month.

But there are some ways you can lessen the dent on your wallet and also stay cool during the summer heat.

Here are some tips from people who know a thing or two about energy costs:

Be aware of your AC filters

Overused air conditioning filters can run up your power bill.

PG&E spokesperson Katie Allen told The Bee in an email response that you can lower your monthly bill by changing your air filters regularly.

Dirty filters can make the AC system work harder, she said, and result in more energy usage.

Cover your windows

Keep your blinds and curtains closed, Allen advised.

This will prevent sun rays from heating the home.

Avoid using energy at certain times

If you’re a Sacramento Municipal Utility District customer, you might be subject to time-of-day rates.

You can lower your SMUD bill by reducing your energy usage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The district recommends on its website that customers run household appliances, such as the dishwasher, before noon or after midnight on weekdays.

SMUD customers can also use the online Time-of-Day Cost Estimator to see when they should run their appliances during the day for the lowest rates, from gaming systems, vacuum cleaners to slow cookers.

Raise your temperature by two degrees

Increasing the AC temperature can save you some money, SMUD spokesperson Lindsay VanLaningham said.

If you can raise your temperature by two degrees in your home, you can save 5% to 10% on costs, VanLaningham said.

Allen of PG&E recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher.

Use a fan

Fans are cheaper than using the AC, VanLaningham said.

To maximize the effectiveness of a fan, Lasko, an appliance company, recommends people place fans facing the opposite wall where there is the most activity. The air from the fan will hit the surface, bounce off and mix with the rest of the air in the room, cooling the space.

If you have a ceiling fan, Energy Star recommends that you use the fan in a counterclockwise direction in the summer. This will create a “wind-chill effect” and cool you down.

This story was originally published August 18, 2022 at 5:00 AM.