I received an email notice from El Paso Electric: “You used 9% more electricity this week.” So, the electric company is sending out weekly updates to let its customers know what to expect at the end of the billing cycle. Hot days cost money, and we can read it when the bill comes due.
A Las Cruces Digest Report
El Paso Electric, in its weekly update, made the following suggestions to better manage electricity usage on hot days:
| Run full dishwasher loads |
| Your dishwasher uses a lot of energy, especially for heating water. To cut down on energy use, run only full loads and let your dishes air dry. |
| Use light dimmers |
| A standard light switch gives you two options: full brightness or none at all. By installing dimmers and using only the light you need, you can save significantly on lighting costs and extend the life of your bulbs. |
| Use a virtual home assistant to manage energy |
| Controlling your energy use is more convenient than ever with hands-free virtual home assistants. They can be used to control some of the largest energy consumers in your home such as your AC, heating system, and lights. |
Many of us have learned from a young age to be mindful of our electricity usage. I can still hear my father’s voice ringing down the hall: “Turn off the light when you leave the room!” Being aware of electricity consumption is a habit, especially when it comes to the obvious costs. When it is hot, the HVAC runs more… and that costs more money. Outside doors should not be left open to the heat. “Don’t let the cold out!”
Obviously.
There are more hidden costs attributable to high temperatures. These costs can be difficult to talk about because to identify them can be mistaken for whining. After all, these costs do not easily translate to dollars and cents, and there is very little we can do mitigate them.
Here are some we experienced on Friday–just two days ago.
The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office dispatched this announcement on Facebook right around lunch time on Friday.
The County Clerk’s Office is a vital hub for most dealings with the county government.
The cost of an unexpected closing of this office are hidden. High heat costs vital access to government offices.
This Facebook post was also dispatched on Friday. Another HVAC problem disrupted the school day for both High School and Elementary School students in attendance at Centennial High School
The cost of losing a day of instruction is a hidden cost. High heat costs classroom time.
While on my way to an unveiling at the Government Center, I noticed much heavier traffic that I otherwise would have expected. I do not think it was coincidence that on my chosen route, I was behind three different commercial vehicles emblazoned with HVAC decals. Apparently, Friday was a good day to be in the HVAC business. High heat costs time on the roads.
Las Cruces Digest has posted no fewer than seven (7) articles announcing the availability of Cooling Stations throughout the city. The latest: Cooling Stations to Remain Open Through Saturday. There are many hidden costs with people leaving the security of their homes to seek shelter in a public cooling station. Having to leave the privacy of one’s own home severely constricts what can be accomplished over the hottest hours of the day. High heat costs productivity.
As we find ourselves more and more often living through hundred-plus heat, we need to find new ways to think about the costs. Unfortunately, the solution will likely be more difficult than flipping off a switch and keeping the front door shut.
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