Stay cool and save money: ways to beat the heat this summer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As temperatures are starting to heat up across Missouri, there are ways people can stay cool and potentially save money, as some Mid-Missourians will see an increase in their utility bills.

In Columbia, the Electric Utility implemented a 2% increase for customers in October. Liberty Utilities customers in multiple Mid-Missouri counties are seeing a temporary increase in their electric bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are multiple ways customers can save money when keeping their homes cool:

• Cover the windows using curtains, shades, blinds, etc.
• Find a comfortable temperature on your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Keep your house a bit warmer than usual when you're away.
• Make sure there aren't any weeds or brush covering your air conditioning unit that could cause it not to work as well as it should.
• Turn on your ceiling fans, but turn them off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
  

The City of Columbia suggests customers set their thermostat to 78 degrees. If you are away for more than four hours, set the thermostat to 84 degrees. People are also encouraged to have the refrigerant charge in the AC unit checked annually by a qualified HVAC contractor.

Multiple cooling centers are available this summer in Mid-Missouri. People can find cooling centers in their area here.