With temperatures climbing into the upper 90s this week and holiday festivities just days away, experts agree on one thing: Seek out air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, their advice on staying cool varies.<\/p>\n
As electricity prices soar, many people are seeking ways to balance staying comfortable with keeping their utility bills from spiking.<\/p>\n
Duquesne Light recommends cost-conscious consumers keep their thermostats at 78 degrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s kind of the sweet spot in terms of trying to save on cost while still staying cool at home,\u201d said Ashley Macik, a utility spokeswoman.<\/p>\n
Macik, however, conceded that temperature setting might not please everyone, acknowledging that 78 degrees seems \u201ca little high.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another Duquesne Light spokeswoman, Alyssa Battaglia, went so far as to suggest setting thermostats \u201ccloser to 85 degrees\u201d when out of the house.<\/p>\n
As for the 78-degree option, Battaglia said that \u201cstrikes a balance between comfort and energy efficiency\u201d while reducing strain on the electric grid.<\/p>\n
Duquesne Light said for each degree you lower your thermostat below 78 in the summer, your bill will go up by about 2\u20133%. <\/p>\n
Bridget McNie, a spokesperson at West Penn Power, also encouraged customers to set their thermostats to higher temperatures to cut back on cost \u201cas comfort allows.\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Energy Assistance Directors Association reported that the national average price of household energy has increased 10.5% since this time last year.<\/p>\n
That increase is pushing summer cooling expenses to record levels. According to the group\u2019s report, the average household is expected to spend $792 to cool a home this summer, up from $717 a year ago.<\/p>\n
In the Pittsburgh region, West Penn Power\u2019s residential rate increased at the start of June to 12.08 cents per kilowatt-hour from 10.95 cents per kilowatt-hour.<\/p>\n
For a typical household using 750 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month, that translates to roughly $11 more on a monthly bill \u2014 another hit to budgets already strained by rising summer cooling costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese increases reflect broader market dynamics, including growing demand for electricity, particularly from large-scale users such as manufacturers and data centers,\u201d McNie said.<\/p>\n
For those with more wiggle room in their budgets, Lisa Iulo, a Penn State University architecture professor, recommends cooling homes before the heat wave sets in by keeping windows closed, blinds drawn and thermostats set at between 69 and 72 degrees.<\/p>\n
No relief in sight<\/p>\n
Experts offered a range of ways to stay cool, from staying well-hydrated and keeping ice packs nearby to taking advantage of cooler nighttime air by opening windows and running fans.<\/p>\n
But relief from the heat isn\u2019t expected anytime soon. Matt Brudy, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said Pittsburgh is likely in for an extended stretch of high temperatures.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a prolonged period of heat, and there\u2019s not going to be much relief,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With scorching conditions persisting, Dr. Brent Rau, medical director of Allegheny General Hospital\u2019s emergency department, is warning people to watch for signs of heat exhaustion.<\/p>\n
\u201cParamedics have brought us patients in the past where they go inside homes that don\u2019t have air conditioning, despite it being 90 degrees outside and quite hot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that keeping homes warm during the day only to cool them down at night might be dangerous and energy inefficient.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt heats up to 78, but then it can overheat beyond that so quick,\u201d Rau said. \u201cTo catch up and cool it back down, you have to use so much energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite rising costs, Dr. Rau emphasized the importance of keeping homes cool during the summer months.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting ventilation is really the important thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Iulo, the Penn State professor, echoed his advice, adding that avoiding stove and oven usage, turning off appliances and lights and even limiting computer usage can reduce the amount of heat produced in the home.<\/p>\n
Tips to keep cool<\/p>\n
Energy providers recommend:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Closing vents and doors in unused rooms<\/p>\n
\u2022 Turning off AC, fans and lights in unused rooms<\/p>\n
\u2022 Regularly cleaning or replacing HVAC filters<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sealing doors and windows to keep cool air inside<\/p>\n
\u2022 Unplugging electronics after they are fully charged<\/p>\n
\u2022 Running appliances late at night or early in the morning<\/p>\n
\u2022 Staying hydrated<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cooking outdoors<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keeping ice and emergency supplies on hand<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keeping fridge and freezer doors shut during electrical outages<\/p>\n
\u2022 Signing up for electrical outage notifications<\/p>\n
Rau said that while young children and the elderly are most at risk of overheating, those planning to celebrate July 4th with alcohol should also be sure to stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages as well.<\/p>\n
While the jury is still out on what the ideal summer thermostat setting is, Duquesne Light, West Penn, Rau and Brudy all urged people to move to air-conditioned spaces when homes become too hot.<\/p>\n
Cooling centers<\/p>\n
CitiParks will open cooling centers this week at five senior centers throughout the city when temperatures climb above 90 degrees. Hours of operation at each facility are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m..<\/p>\n
Cooling center locations:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Beechview Healthy Active Living Center<\/p>\n
1555 Broadway Ave.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, PA 15216<\/p>\n
\u2022 Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center<\/p>\n
745 Greenfield Ave.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, PA 15217<\/p>\n
\u2022 Homewood Healthy Active Living Center<\/p>\n
7321 Frankstown Ave.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, PA 15208<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center<\/p>\n
720 Sherwood Ave.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, PA 15204<\/p>\n
\u2022 South Side Healthy Active Living Community Center<\/p>\n
49 South 12th St. (at Bingham Street)<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh, PA 15203<\/p>\n