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Eight Energy-Saving Tips from a Lineman

We took some of our most-asked questions and sat down with one of our linemen, Brian, to get the inside scoop on how he and his family save energy during the summer season. Although his day job is keeping the lights on, he's picked up a few things about energy efficiency over the years. Here are some easy and helpful tips straight from Brian's own playbook.

1. What's the first thing you do to get your home ready for the Oklahoma summer heat?

We usually try to get an HVAC technician out to make sure everything's in working order before the triple digits hit. They'll check things over for you, clean out the filters, and make sure everything's running smoothly. PSO even offers up to $100 off an HVAC tune-up! Also, don't forget to replace your air filter so your AC unit keeps you cool all summer.


2. What are some other things that can be done to help the AC unit perform better during extreme heat?

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall bill will be. So, I try to be mindful of the temperature outside and what I set my thermostat on inside. I really like my smart thermostat because I can change it to a higher temperature when I'm not home. PSO even has a thermostat rebate and energy-saving program called Power Hours.

Another little trick to take some of the load off your AC unit is to keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day.


3. Can ceiling fans help keep you cool during summer?

Absolutely! I always make sure to switch my ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise in the summertime to create a downdraft and push cool air. But make sure to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room – fans cool people, not rooms.


4. How can you save energy while doing laundry during the busy summer months?

My wife and I have a rule to always wait until there's a full load of laundry, so that saves us a lot of time and energy. Also, you can save even more energy by using cold water for all your washes. If you're looking to get a more efficient washer or electric dryer then check out the PSO rebates too.


5. Do you have tips for getting the family involved in saving energy?

Get all the kids on board with turning off the lights when they leave the room and make sure they close exterior doors, especially when they're coming in and out all the time from playing outside. These are small things that can make a difference!


6. What are some ways you track energy usage in your home?

Keeping an eye on your energy use is key to keeping your bill low. I like to use PSO's Energy Management Tool because it makes it easy to see how much energy you're actually using, so you know whether to make adjustments if you want to bring your usage down.


7. What is something you'd change in your home to make it more energy efficient?

Energy-efficient windows have a major role in keeping the heat out in the summer and the warmth in during the winter. Switching out old single-pane windows for ones that are at least double pane could save up to 13% on energy costs.


8. What's one last thing we should keep top of mind this summer?

In our line of work, we always keep weather top of mind. We recommend staying prepared for any weather event, and you can always access our outage map for estimated restoration times and other helpful information. Another way to stay connected is by signing up for outage alerts. Y'all stay safe, and I'll be out there with my crew – working around the clock to keep your lights on.

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