The heat is on this week across upstate New York with forecasters calling for a run of high temperatures and humidity in the region. Prolonged temperatures of 90 degrees or higher can lead to heat-related illnesses, especially for the elderly, young children and those with chronic illnesses. We also offer the following energy-efficiency tips:

• Keep doors and windows closed while running your air conditioning system to reduce air loss.
• Clear areas in front of vents from furniture; blocked vents require up to 25 percent more energy to distribute air.
• In the summer, vegetation, solar screens, and awnings can be used to prevent the sun from making your home too hot.
• Use programmable thermostats to adjust cooling when rooms are unoccupied, saving you energy and up to $180 a year.
• Upgrade outdated air conditioning equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models. You’ll save as much as 30 percent on energy costs in the long term, reduce maintenance, and improve the comfort of your home.
• Perform regular air conditioning maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use. Establish a maintenance contract with your vendor for regular tune-ups, which help decrease equipment breakdowns and unnecessary air loss.
• Conserving water is a great way to save energy and money in your home.
• Stop leaks. Repairing even small leaks saves gallons of water and thus dollars each month.
• Install water-saving faucets and low-flow showerheads.
• Set a maximum water temperature of 120° F.
• Upgrade your water heater to a high-efficiency model. Look for water heaters with an Energy Factor of .67 or greater (.82 or greater for larger systems).

About National Grid

About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, and find our photos on Instagram.