It's hot. Like really hot. Hot enough that it gets dangerous fast if folks can't cool down. One thing we can all do to help keep each other safe is conserve energy, to prevent our electric grid from getting overwhelmed and shutting down. Here's a thread of simple ways to do that:
Shut your windows then close your blinds and curtains to keep the sun out. Yeah, it might feel like living in a cave, but, I mean, caves are cool? Open your windows at night if it cools down to air things out, but button it all back up again in the morning.
Turn down your air conditioner, especially if you're cranking it. If you prefer a cool 68 degrees, can you maybe deal with 78 degrees today to help make sure all our lights stay on? Being a little warmer than you prefer super beats the alternative of no power at all.
Allow your place to be a little warmer when you're not in it. Turn down the thermostat a bit or fire up your fans when you get home, when you actually benefit from them. No sense using that energy if no one's even home.
Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. They're great at cooling people but you really only need to turn them on when you're nearby. Also ceiling fans are a great low-emission substitute for central air, don't @ me.
Take a quick cold shower to cool down. A pro tip is to do this right before you go to bed. I am also a fan of using my garden hose's mist setting on myself but you do you.
Avoid using big appliances like washers and dryers (days like today are especially great for line-drying if you must, however). Those big guys can be a big drain on our electric grid during times of peak demand. Unplugging large appliances when you're not using them also helps.
In fact, maybe just be really mindful about only using the power you really need. Even lights can heat up a room while they're adding to your energy load, especially if you're not using LED bulbs. Read a book instead of streaming stuff, it all helps.
Insulated homes stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It's an investment that not only keeps you comfortable and safe, but also pays for itself in utility bill savings. Your local utility probably has rebates and programs to help you do it too!
If you're in Minneapolis, there's a good chance your place is hotter today than it needs to be. More than 70% of homes here lack adequate insulation. Big yikes! Find out if yours is among them by getting an energy efficiency expert to come take a look: mncee.org/home-energy-sq…
Anything you do today to conserve energy and keep our power on is something you can consider doing regularly to reduce your climate impact broadly. Using less is the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency is a big part of the answer, y'all!
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