6.21.2010 Better Control Usage with Energy Efficiency Measures during Sustained Heat Wave

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As temperatures continue to rise across the Commonwealth, so can energy usage. Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company encourage customers to take simple energy efficiency steps to help lower energy consumption during a heat wave.

• Set air conditioners to the highest comfortable setting during the day: 78-80 degrees works for most people. Raising your air conditioner setting by one degree can save you 4-7 percent on the cooling portion of your energy bill.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights. Use fluorescent lighting, which is cooler.
• Turn off all unnecessary appliances. Run your dishwashers, dryers and washing machines during the evening hours (after 7 p.m.) when energy consumption is lower.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air. Fans can help you feel more comfortable at higher temperatures. Window fans, ceiling fans or whole-house fans use much less power and are an alternative to air conditioners. Turn the fan off when you leave the room since the fan does its job by cooling you — not the room.
• Close curtains, drapes and/or blinds to keep the hot sun's heat out of your home.
• Don't close air registers and do not close off rooms completely because it can increase system pressure and damage the compressor. Furniture or drapes should not block air registers.
• Cook outdoors on your grill; use a microwave oven or crockpot or prepare cold meals to avoid heating up the kitchen and adding moisture to the air. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time.
• Check your air filters monthly — even on extended filters. Change if necessary. Dirty air filters make your air conditioner work harder. Clean the filter in window units as well. It is behind the front panel.
• The outdoor unit of an air conditioner should be kept free from plants, dirt or grass clippings that will interfere with air circulation. Wash the coil periodically with a garden hose.

"Although our system is in good shape to meet the increased energy demand, we know that customers want information on how to better control their energy usage during this sustained heat wave," said Chip Keeling, Vice President of Communications for E.ON U.S., parent of LG&E and KU. "By following just a few simple steps and adjusting behaviors, customers can help curb energy consumption while maintaining comfort."

On June 15 at 3 p.m., LG&E and KU experienced a combined system, June record peak of 6,572 megawatts. By way of comparison, the all-time combined system peak of 7,132 megawatts came on Aug. 9, 2007 at 4 p.m., when the temperature reached 101 degrees. (One megawatt can power up to 720 households using an average of 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each for one month). Visit www.eon-us.com/ee for additional tips and information concerning energy efficiency programs.



E.ON U.S., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a subsidiary of E.ON, the world's largest investor-owned energy services provider. E.ON U.S. is a diversified energy services company that owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 321,000 natural gas and 396,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 545,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.

Follow us on Twitter: @eonus