SAN DIEGO — Temperatures are already on the rise early Monday morning. This long stretch of dry and hot weather is what Cal Fire says they prepare year-round for.
Cal Fire says that currently all of their front-line pieces of equipment are fully staffed and ready to go if needed. They also added that they prepare year-round for these exact situations.
As these heat waves stretch for longer periods of time, there's more fuel for those fires along the way. Add on the already existing drought conditions and concerns only increase.
CAL Fire offered some reminders on what to stay away from during this heat wave. They say now is not the time to be using mechanical brush and tree trimmers. If you're towing an RV or trailer, be sure there are no dragging chains along the way. Lastly, ensure defensible space around your home is cleared in case a fire does start.
SDG&E also gave some tips to save money on your energy bill this week:
Adjust the thermostat. Adjust up in the summer and shut off when not in use. Even a few degrees can significantly reduce air conditioning costs. In the summer, set your air conditioner to 78 degrees or higher. Changing the A/C thermostat from 72 to 78 degrees can save up to 12% of your cooling costs. Gain remote control and get a rebate on a smart programmable thermostat.
Switch to Time of Use. Looking for a new opportunity to save money on your electricity bill? Consider switching to a Time of Use (TOU) pricing plan. With Time of Use, there's no High Usage Charge and each day is broken into on-peak and off-peak time zones (and sometimes even super off-peak), with energy costing less during the off-peak hours.
Block direct sunlight in the summer. Close window coverings or shade exposed windows with solar shade screens, reflective films, awnings or trees.
Power down. Turn off or set office equipment to power down when not in use. Turning off one computer and monitor nightly and on weekends can save up to $80 a year. Setting PCs, monitors and copiers to use sleep mode when not in use can help cut energy costs by up to 50 percent. Use power strips or unplug electronics such as DVRs, game consoles and TVs that draw power even when switched off.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater. 120° F is sufficient for most common uses. A 10° F reduction can save up to five percent on water heating costs. This only affects gas usage, unless your water heater is electric.
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