CHICAGO, IL — (Marketwired) — 07/18/13 — LiveWatch Security urges customers facing high temperatures across the country to consider energy-saving home cooling methods as more cities issue heat advisories and grapple with power outages.
Right now, 130 million people are trying to stay cool in the days-long heat wave that will continue until the weekend. Power outages in the Northeast are complicating this heat wave as companies face record demands for air conditioning.
As temperatures continue to rise, residents of these hot areas should program air conditioning units carefully to avoid an unexpected jump in July energy costs. LiveWatch recommends turning off a home–s air conditioning unit during the day to save energy.
“Turning off air conditioning is an obvious trick, but there are other steps homeowners can take to stay cool and save energy,” says LiveWatch President Chris Johnson. “Start by closing doors and blinds to keep out sunlight, which can easily overwhelm small or older cooling units.”
West-facing windows are the biggest offenders in heating homes. Landscaping can help with shade for west and south sides of the home: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates just three properly-placed trees saves the average household up to $250 annually in energy costs. Foliage stops the house from absorbing heat, particularly for dark-colored homes that can absorb up to 90 percent of the radiant energy from the sun that touches the house.
Higher-tech solutions work in conjunction with long-term plans, like landscaping, to keep homes cool while saving energy. The Department of Energy recommends setting a house at 78 degrees when in use, and programmable thermostats can help homeowners by turning on the air just before the house is occupied. These thermostats benefit homeowners year-round, saving hundreds in heating costs during the winter.
“I urge customers to carefully consider their home cooling habits during this dangerous part of the summer,” Johnson says. “Balancing comfort with energy savings is possible with home automation and planning.”
LiveWatch® has redefined home security. The company leads the industry with its interactive Plug & Protect® wireless alarm system that empowers customers with cutting edge protection and control. LiveWatch provides unbeatable value and exceptional service with its award-winning LiveWatch alarm monitoring service. For the fourth year in a row, LiveWatch is ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, and consistently receives top customer service awards.
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