Temperatures are already rising in the US – and all signs point to the summer of 2024 being the hottest on record.
Over Memorial Day weekend, 11 Florida cities broke their own heat records, as rising temperatures fueled intense thunderstorms in Houston and Dallas.
And an extreme heat wave is headed to the U.S. next month, the National Weather Service warned, likely to hit Texas, Florida, Arizona, California and Nevada.
But there are steps you can take to keep your home cool in the summer, according to supplier Octopus Energy.
And for Michael Lee, CEO of the Houston-based supplier, this also means rethinking the way we look at energy efficiency and usage.
There are steps you can take to keep your home cool in the summer, according to supplier Octopus Energy
Michael Lee, CEO of Octopus Energy US, recommends closing your shades and windows to keep out sunlight and keep your home cool
According to Octopus Energy, the first step is to ensure that cold air is kept in and warm air is kept out.
“If it’s drafty in winter, then it’s definitely drafty in summer,” Lee told DailyMail.com.
The easiest way to weatherproof your home is to seal any cracks, holes or holes in exterior doors and windows.
Also be sure to check any doors that lead to areas without air conditioning, such as an interior door that leads to a garage.
Replace your AC filter once a month and unplug any unused appliances, as they can still suck energy through the power cord when not in use, increasing your bill.
During the summer, the supplier recommends turning the blades of your ceiling fan counterclockwise.
“Fan blades that rotate counterclockwise push the air downwards and create a refreshing breeze through the room while maximizing energy efficiency,” the report said.
Cook outside if you have a grill to keep your kitchen from heating up, it is recommended, and if possible, invest in a cooling pad to keep temperatures down overnight.
‘Materials known for their moisture-wicking and breathability include cotton, silk, tencel and rayon made from bamboo.’
Sunlight coming through windows can warm a room significantly, Octopus said, so having dark-colored curtains helps block out the light.
“Close your blinds and your windows – especially the south- and west-facing windows – because those are the windows where the sunlight comes in in the afternoon,” Lee added.
In addition to these tips, Lee also believes it is crucial that customers and energy suppliers think about the timing and how they optimize their energy consumption – and not just how they reduce it.
“We need to rethink the products that are offered to customers because I think a lot of energy companies and customers are kind of losing sleep over the switch and thinking about the old way of saving money,” he said, “which is just reducing your energy costs. consumption instead of thinking intelligently about your consumption.’
Largely to avoid federal regulation, independent Texas – where Octopus Energy is based – is the only state in the US with its own energy grid.
The rest of the country is covered by two grids: one in the east and one in the west.
The Texas electric grid is managed by the nonprofit Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which is overseen by the state’s utility regulator and the Texas Legislature.
While supporters of the so-called “energy island” say it is a lure for business, others argue the state’s 30 million residents are at risk of power outages when the power grid is strained during times of extreme demand.
For Lee, Texas’ unique environment is an opportunity to rethink the role renewable energy can play while also keeping costs low for customers.
An extreme heat wave is coming to the US next month, the National Weather Service has warned
Experts recommend turning the blades of your ceiling fan counterclockwise and making sure you replace the filter in your AC
For example, the supplier has introduced a ‘Fan Club’ program, which offers customers discount moments during the day when they can save on their energy unit rate.
A 20 percent discount will be applied to electricity used when wind energy accounts for more than 30 percent of the grid’s energy supply.
“We have more wind energy than anywhere else in the U.S., and we now have more solar production than anywhere else on the grid,” he said.
“And it’s not because of government mandates, it’s just because we get such cheap renewable energy from these projects that we can build them very quickly and reduce red tape.”
Lee hopes the rest of the country can look to Texas as a model for the future, with an emphasis on using renewable energy at optimal times.
“If one of the biggest issues is how to keep bills low, then ultimately the best way to reduce costs for customers is to use energy when renewables are truly plentiful,” Lee told DailyMail.com.