BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT

Record breaking heat waves have become a staple of summers in America. Those hardest hit are the most vulnerable – seniors, young children and people with chronic health conditions. Extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other weather hazard. Extreme heat events in the United States are expected to become even more common, more severe and longer lasting.

Here’s a list of tips to help stay cool and safe. Visit sdge.com/MyEnergy for more tips.

1. Visit a Cool  Zone which is a network of free, air-conditioned facilities across San Diego County like libraries and community centers. If you’re unable to get to a Cool Zone, call    2-1-1 to be connected to a transportation service at no cost. Visiting Cool Zones is also a way to use less energy at home and help reduce your energy costs. Find a Cool Zone near you at sdge.com/Cool-Zones or bit.ly/43EdfKw.
2. Learn about the Cool Zone Fan Program and find out if you qualify for a free fan at bit.ly/CoolZoneFans.
3. Catch a movie in an air-conditioned theatre during hot afternoons. Ticket prices are usually less expensive earlier in the day too.
4. Don’t forget about your pets. When outdoors, carry water for your fur baby, try to stay in the shade and keep their paws off hot asphalt and other hot surfaces. Never leave an animal in a hot vehicle. At home, put ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl and place a cool, damp towel down for them to lay on.
5. Keep your home’s shades, curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day to help keep the sun’s rays out.
6. Your stove and oven can give off a lot of heat so make meals that don’t require heat, like salads and sandwiches.
7. When temperatures cool in the evening, open windows to let the cooler air in.
8. Run your ceiling fan counter-clockwise so it pushes cooler air down. Reverse your ceiling fan direction in the winter for the opposite effect.
9. If you have a window air conditioning unit, seal any cracks. If you have central A/C, check the ducts for proper insulation and clean filters regularly.
10. Shift your energy use outside of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to save. Energy costs are the highest during this time. Do your heat-generating chores like laundry or running the dishwasher before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.