News > 10 Ways to Stay Comfortable and Conserve Energy During a Heat Wave

10 Ways to Stay Comfortable and Conserve Energy During a Heat Wave

July 13, 2026

It’s going to be a hot week! When it’s this hot, keeping your home (and yourself) cool can be challenging. Air conditioners run longer, refrigerators work harder, and daily routines — from cooking dinner to doing laundry — often overlap during the warmest parts of the day. That’s also when the demand for electricity across our communities is at its peak, typically from 3 to 8 p.m. when most people return from work.

At Stearns Electric, our top priority is delivering safe, reliable and competitively priced power whenever you need it. But during peak energy hours, when homes and businesses all require more electricity at the same time, the power grid faces added pressure. On the hottest days, that pressure increases.

Our regional grid operator, MISO, and our wholesale power provider, Great River Energy, are monitoring the power market closely to ensure reliability for all energy consumers. Energy capacity is projected to keep up with increased energy demand throughout our region this week, but members enrolled in our load management programs should expect load control throughout the week. Learn about how load management programs benefit our power grid.

All members can do their part, though, to help conserve energy when possible. Plus, small changes at home can make a meaningful difference on your energy costs while also helping to keep you cool! Here are 10 tips to consider in order to save energy this week:

1. Close Curtains and Blinds During the Day
   We love the natural light summertime brings, but sunlight streaming through your windows can quickly heat your home. Keep curtains, blinds or shades closed, especially on south- and west-facing windows during the hottest part of the day, to block unwanted heat.
2. Avoid Using Heat-Producing Appliances to Cook
   Ovens, stovetops and even dishwashers add extra heat to your home. If possible, prepare meals by grilling outdoors or by using an air fryer, microwave or slow cooker. 
3. Shift Your Use of Large Appliances
   Shifting your use of other large appliances, such as clothes dryers, washing machines and dishwashers, to non-peak hours (after 8 p.m. or even better, in the overnight hours) also helps avoid high energy demand periods.
4. Set Your Thermostat Wisely
   If you have air conditioning, set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature. Even raising the setting by a couple of degrees can reduce energy use while still keeping your home comfortable.
5. Use Ceiling Fans the Right Way
   Ceiling fans don’t actually cool the air—they cool people by creating a wind-chill effect. Make sure your fan rotates counterclockwise in the summer to push air downward. And remember to turn fans off when you leave the room since they don’t cool empty spaces.
6. Turn Off Lights You’re Not Using
   Traditional incandescent light bulbs give off heat. Turn off unnecessary lights during the day, and you haven’t done so yet, consider switching to LED bulbs, which use less electricity and produce much less heat.
7. Keep Doors Closed
   Keep exterior doors closed as much as possible to prevent hot air from entering your home. If you have rooms that aren’t being used, closing interior doors can also help your cooling system focus on the spaces you’re occupying.
8. Replace or Clean your Air Filter
   A dirty HVAC filter restricts airflow, forcing your cooling system to work harder. Check your filter monthly during the cooling season and replace or clean it as recommended by the manufacturer.
9. Stay Hydrated
   Your home’s comfort is important, but so is your personal comfort. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Staying hydrated helps your body regulate its temperature more effectively.
10. Take Cool Showers
    When temperatures rise, cooling your body directly can provide fast relief. A cool shower, a damp cloth on the neck and wrists, or feet soaked in cold water can help lower body temperature. Plus, using cool water saves on water heating costs!

Thanks for helping do your part! Stay tuned to stearnselectric.org or our Facebook Page for additional updates throughout the week.