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• Upgrade outdated air conditioning equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models.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

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 and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.