North Texas had already reached 100 degrees four times in 2023 through Wednesday, but the peak of summer temperatures usually hit the area in late July and early August. With the hottest part of summer still ahead, energy companies are urging North Texans to take steps to limit their bills.
"A couple top tips that come to mind: Of course, keep your air conditioning unit well-maintained and serviced," says Reliant Energy's Daniel Puffe.
Puffe urges people to have HVAC technicians inspect their units twice a year to ensure they are running most efficiently and also to lengthen their lifespan.
"Think of it kind of like a car. It needs a little bit of maintenance here and there," he says.
Puffe urges people to use stoves, ovens and clothes driers early in the morning or in the evening.
"Those are going to be putting some heat into the home, so we want to save that until it's a little bit cooler," he says.
Reliant also urges people, especially those with south and west facing windows, to set up blackout curtains.
Puffe says people should turn up their thermostat when no one will be home for an extended period of time but not necessarily turn off their A/C entirely. By turning off your A/C, Puffe says temperatures in your home will rise even higher, and the unit will have to work harder when it is turned back on.
"We like to recommend what we call the four-by-four rule," he says. "If you're going to be away from your home for at least four hours, go ahead and bump up the temperature on the thermostat by maybe four degrees. This way, we can save on energy by not cooling an empty home and you can bring it down to a comfortable temperature whenever you come back."
A list of cooling centers and options for low-income residents to get help with electric bills or equipment is available here.
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