UGI Urges Residents to Avoid Heat Stress, and to Use Energy Wisely This Summer

With a heat wave impacting the area, UGI reminds customers and community members to take steps to avoid heat stress and to use energy wisely by considering the following guidelines:

Drink cool water. If you are working in a hot environment, you should drink cool water frequently in small amounts, totaling one cup every 20 minutes. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated beverages, which can cause dehydration.Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Change clothing if it gets saturated. Wear a hat and apply sunscreen to exposed areas when outside.Older adults and people with chronic health problems should stay indoors and in the coolest available place.Stay indoors, if possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sun. Do not spend long periods of time in the direct sun.If possible, work or play in the cooler hours of the day.

Using Energy Wisely

UGI also encourages residents to use energy wisely this summer. Here are some easy and inexpensive conservation tips.

Install a programmable thermostat and raise the setting to the highest comfortable temperature. You can save three-to-five percent on your air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat.Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms. Keep filters clean.Even if you have air conditioning, use ceiling fans to provide additional cooling and better circulation.Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks around window air conditioners with foam insulation or weather-stripping.Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers.Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10 to 15 percent of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.

UGI emergency response is available 24-hours a day, every day.   Your safety is always our top priority. UGI can be reached at (800) 276-2722.

UGI Utilities is a natural gas and electric utility with headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania. UGI serves more than 690,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland.  Customers and community members are invited to visit the UGI website at www.ugi.com; our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ugiutilities; or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ugi_utilities.