|
Reduce energy consumption and stay
safe during summer heat waves
[June 26, 2025]
URBANA, Ill. — The first heat
wave of the summer hit the Midwest earlier than usual this week,
with a heat index forecast of up to 105 degrees, pushing many
indoors to stay cool. All those air conditioning units running
almost nonstop put pressure on the electrical grid and increase the
risk of power outages. Take steps to stay safe and reduce the demand
for electricity with resources from University of Illinois
Extension.
More than 120 million Americans
were under an extreme heat advisory or heat warning as of June 24,
according to the NOAA National Weather Service. The heat index,
humidity combined with the temperature, is expected to reach record
daytime highs of 100 to 105 degrees with overnight temperatures of
75 to 85 degrees.
“There is a high-pressure weather
system sitting over the Midwest and eastern part of the U.S.
referred to as a heat dome, which is causing the excessive heat and
minimizing wind and cloud cover,” said Jessica Rudnick, Illinois
Extension climate resilience specialist. “These heat domes push warm
air toward the ground, where it warms up more as it is further
compressed and begins to feel hotter.”
Energy Use Tips
Powering air conditioning units puts a sudden strain on energy
systems, especially from the afternoon to early evening when outdoor
temperatures soar. Making small changes to conserve energy can help
even out energy use, save money on your utility bill, and avoid
service interruptions.
“Consider running major appliances like washing machines or the oven
earlier in the day,” said Andrea Wagner, Extension sustainable
energy specialist. “It’s a change in routine, but together those
small steps to conserve energy are much less disruptive and
dangerous than a full power outage.”
Other ways to reduce energy use during extreme temperatures include:
Turn up the thermostat by 2 degrees or more and program it to a
higher temperature when no one is home.
Check that the HVAC system works well and consider purchasing a
smart thermostat.
Turn off or disconnect electronics that are not in use, operate
major appliances in the early morning or late evening, and use a
countertop convection oven or air fryer instead of the oven.
Program smart devices to run appliances at off-peak times.
Use minimal lighting and close window coverings during the hottest
part of the day, and use bathroom and kitchen fans to temporarily
remove heat and humidity.
Find more energy efficiency and electrical safety tips at
SafeElectricity.org.
Health and Safety Tips
Hot weather can lead to a rise in heat-related illnesses, and death
rates tend to increase during and after heat waves. The heat can
also affect air pollutants, leading to poor air quality and
impacting vulnerable populations; check the NOAA air quality index.
Those who work outdoors, children, seniors, and pregnant women are
most vulnerable to serious heat-related illnesses, such as heat
exhaustion and heat stroke.
When possible, stay in air-conditioned spaces at home, a public
space, or a designated cooling center. Check with your town or local
health department for cooling centers in your area, find one using
the 2025 Illinois Cooling Centers map, or explore options for these
major metropolitan areas: Cook County, the Chicago Parks District,
Springfield, Champaign-Urbana. Seniors can also contact the Illinois
Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 for assistance with locating
senior centers and other cooling centers.
[to top of second column]
|
Those without air
conditioning should use fans only if the indoor temperature is
under 90 degrees, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. At temperatures higher than that, fans can
increase body temperature. Set ceiling fans to turn
counterclockwise to create a cooling downdraft.
Watch for symptoms of
heat exhaustion, including headache, nausea, dizziness,
irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and
decreased urine output; or heat stroke symptoms of confusion,
altered mental status, slurred speech, hot and dry skin or profuse
sweating, seizures, very high body temperature and coma. If someone
is displaying symptoms, call 911 and move the person to a shaded,
cool area. Give them liquids to drink and circulate air around them.
Remove unnecessary clothing and apply cold compresses or splash cold
water on the head, face, neck, armpits, and groin.
More hot weather health tips
Drink plenty of water or electrolyte-rich drinks and carry a
refillable bottle. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, and soda,
which can be dehydrating.
Avoid or minimize physical exertion and take cool baths or showers.
Do not sit in a hot car, even for a short time, and never leave a
child or pet in a hot car.
Avoid going out in the heat and direct sun. Try to schedule outside
time during the coolest parts of the day, in the early morning or
evening, and stay in the shade.
Wear loose, light colored cotton clothing and wear a wide-brimmed
hat.
Check on family members, friends, and neighbors to make sure they
are safe.
To connect with Extension natural resources, environment, and energy
staff about a program or for a consultation, visit go.illinois.edu/NREEstaff.
Extension’s natural resources, environment, and energy program
provides research-based education for awareness and action to
sustain healthy environments and ecosystems that support quality
living and resilient communities. Extension staff empower people
across Illinois to make a difference through the Master
Naturalists, Climate Stewards, and Watershed Stewards volunteer and
training programs.
ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops
educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to
support people, communities, and their environments as part of the
state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading
public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county
units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is
responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy,
environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology
and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through
six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and
agribusiness, community and economic development, family and
consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural
resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at
extension.illinois.edu.
SOURCES: Jessica Rudnick, climate resilience specialist; Andrea
Wagner, sustainable energy specialist.
WRITER: Emily Steele, media communications manager, Illinois
Extension.
|
