BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT!🥵

As summer temperatures climb into the upper 90s and heat index values reach 100°F or higher, it's important to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Extreme heat doesn't just affect your comfort. It can also impact your health and increase the demand on your home's cooling system.

The Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities (BMU) encourages everyone to stay safe during periods of extreme heat while taking advantage of simple ways to reduce energy use and keep electric bills under control.

Remember: Your electric bill tells the story of your home's energy use over the past month. When temperatures soar, your air conditioner works harder, and those costs often don't show up until weeks later. Planning ahead and practicing a few simple energy-saving habits today can help prevent surprises on a future bill.

Give Your Air Conditioner a Helping Hand

Your air conditioner works hardest during extremely hot weather. A few small adjustments around your home can improve comfort while helping your cooling system operate more efficiently.

Easy Energy-Saving Tips

Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to block the sun's heat.
Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature and avoid constantly adjusting it.
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms and make sure they are turning counterclockwise during the summer to push cool air downward. Using ceiling fans can help you stay comfortable while allowing you to raise your thermostat setting a few degrees.
Replace or clean your HVAC air filter regularly to improve airflow.
Wait until the evening to run your dishwasher, clothes dryer, or oven to reduce heat inside your home.
Make sure furniture, rugs, or curtains are not blocking air vents.
Keep leaves, grass, and debris away from your outdoor air conditioning unit to maintain proper airflow.

Every Little Bit Helps

When temperatures soar, air conditioners across our community run almost continuously. Conserving energy during the hottest part of the day not only helps reduce your monthly electric bill but also supports the reliable operation of the electric system during periods of high demand.

Small changes made by many people can have a BIG impact.

Your Electric Bill Will Arrive Weeks After the Heat Wave

One thing many customers don't realize is that your electric bill reflects energy you used during your previous billing cycle, not the days immediately before your bill arrives.

For example, if our area experiences several weeks of extreme heat in July, your air conditioner will naturally run longer to keep your home comfortable. Depending on your meter reading and billing dates, the increased energy use from that hot weather may not appear on your bill until August or even early September.

By the time that bill arrives, the weather may already be cooler, making it easy to forget just how much your air conditioner was running during the hottest days of summer.

Taking small steps throughout the summer can help reduce energy use during periods of extreme heat and may lessen the impact on a future bill.

Looking for More Energy-Saving Ideas?

The U.S. Department of Energy offers dozens of practical tips to help homeowners stay cool while reducing energy use throughout the summer. From thermostat settings and cooling strategies to home maintenance and weatherization, these resources can help you improve comfort and lower energy costs.

Explore these helpful guides:

BMU is committed to providing safe, reliable utility services while helping our customers make informed decisions about energy use. We hope these simple tips help you stay safe, comfortable, and cool all summer long.