An excessive heat warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the northern portion of Mississippi with temperatures expected to range over 110 degrees this week.
Increased temperatures around 107 degrees are also expected for the rest of the state, which is currently under a heat advisory due to high levels of humidity.
The National Weather Service advises those who go outside to watch for signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion while taking frequent breaks in cooler areas.
They also suggest wearing loose-fitting clothes and staying hydrated throughout the day, especially if working outdoors. Children and pets should not be left unattended in vehicles and pets should be kept away from pavement during the hottest portions of the day.
If you’re looking to keep your electric bill down during the hot weather, Entergy Mississippi has a few tips on how to save money while staying cool.
- Make sure the air coming into your home is clean and healthy. Air filters on some air conditioning units require monthly cleaning or replacing. You can also get your A/C inspected to make sure your system is leak-free and operating as efficiently as possible.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature. Every degree lower than 78 can raise your bill as much as 3%. If you crank down the A/C to a cooler 72 degrees, you’ve already increased your bill by 18%.
- Buy a programmable thermostat. As energy use rises, costs also rise. A programmable thermostat can help you manage those costs when you are away, whether for the day or on an extended vacation.
- Use fans to cool off, but remember – fans cool people, not rooms. Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity to circulate the air, which helps you feel several degrees cooler. Make sure ceiling fans are rotating in the right direction – counter-clockwise during summer – to push cooler air down into the room. To save more energy, be sure to turn all fans off when you leave the room.
- Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.
- Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and ductwork. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air in and the hot air out.
- Use the myAdvisor tool on myentergy.com to learn when you use the most energy. The usage and cost tool can compare your usage history by month, day and hour.
- Visit entergy.com/savemoney to access a variety of energy-saving tips and calculators that will help you determine the best cost-cutting scenarios to suit your needs.
