Idaho Power offers suggestions on how your wallet can beat the heat

Temperatures are starting to rise outside, but power companies are offering advice on how to make sure you don’t get burned with your power bill this summer.

Idaho Power said during the summer many of its customers power bills do rise. Steven Muse, with Idaho Power, said there are several dos and don’ts when it comes to beating the summer heat.

“Some of the common mistakes people make in the summertime that spike their bills is they leave their blinds open and then all of that radiation comes from the sun and heats your home up,” Muse said. “You want to make sure that your home is well-sealed. You want to change your air conditioning filter, make sure that’s good. One of the other don’ts that people do is they utilize their stove quite a bit and their oven instead of utilizing the microwave or cooking outside.”

Some other things Muse said to be careful of are turning your air conditioner on a low temperature to try and cool your home off faster. If no one is home, turn the air conditioning unit off. Muse said circulating fans wherever needed can be a good alternative to air conditioning as fans use less energy.

Muse said Idaho Power offers several free programs to help customers be energy efficient and save money.

One thing it offers is energy efficiency kits, which you can request online. Just go to idahopower.com/save2day to get one. There is one per household and it includes a shower time, water temperature thermometer, low-flow shower head, an LED night light and nine LED bulbs. Idaho Power said using LED bulbs versus incandescent can make a huge difference.

“What’s so good about LED bulbs is they last ten to 25 percent longer than regular incandescent bulbs,” Muse said. “They use about 75 percent less energy. And so you reduce your heat as well and so from the incandescent bulbs, it produces a lot of heat. You won’t do that with your LED bulbs.”

Idaho Power also offers energy house calls for free. An energy professional will com e audit the home, seal ducts, change air filters and replace light bulbs.

Another program is solutions and weatherization assistance. This is based on an income qualification level. For those who qualify, they can get free installation, windows, duct sealing, and more.

More information can be found on Idaho Power’s website.

Muse said Idaho Power will also be releasing its summer energy efficiency guide on July 30.