Keeping Cool in the Blistering Summer Heat

STAMFORD, Conn., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The summer heat wave of 2011 is one for the record books.  The sweltering heat enveloping much of the country has caused heat-related deaths, broken 1,400 high-temperature records across the U.S. in July alone, and has many homeowners wondering if relief will ever come.

"The truth is there is only so much a traditional air conditioning unit can do," says Marjorie Kass, managing director of MXenergy, a Constellation Company. "When you are talking about these record-high temperatures, homeowners have to do all they can to maximize their unit's efficiency and do their part to help their home cool."

MXenergy Summer Energy Efficiency Tips

• Have Your Unit Properly Serviced – Regular maintenance by a trained professional is the most important step you can take to ensure your unit operates at maximum capacity for as long as possible.  

• Change Your Filters – Keeping your air conditioner filters clean will increase your unit's efficiency and decrease the strain on the system.  MXenergy recommends during the hottest months changing your filters at least monthly if not more frequently.

• Close the Door – Reduce strain on your air-conditioning unit by reducing the amount of house it has to cool.  Close off rooms that are not in use.  Close air ducts and blinds and turn off ceiling fans in unused rooms to reduce energy usage for those portions of the home.

• Plan Your Day  – Conserve energy by planning heat-generating tasks for the coolest part of the day.  Do your cooking and baking in early morning, wash and dry clothes and run the dish washer in the early morning or late evening hours.

• Invest in Insulating Curtains – By keeping blinds closed during the day, you can dramatically reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, particularly if you have energy efficient window coverings.  Honeycomb blinds have proven to be very effective in trapping heat away from the interior of the house.

• Turn on the Fans – Keep ceiling fans and the furnace fan running at all times.  Continuously circulating air helps keep temperatures low and reduces air conditioner strain.

• Don't Forget the Attic – Over time attic insulation can compress.  Add 5-6 inches of insulation to improve efficiency.  Also consider solar-powered attic venting.  This change can lower your attic temperature 50-60 degrees, which will dramatically reduce the strain on your air conditioner.

And if you think your air conditioner simply can't survive the summer heat?  MXenergy wants to encourage you to think green.

"If you do have to replace an air conditioner this summer, there are many wonderful energy efficient models on the market," says Kass.  "Choose a model with an ENERGY STAR rating.  Your home and your wallet will thank you."

About MXenergy

MXenergy, a Constellation company, is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses.  Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.  For more information about MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

About Constellation Energy

Constellation Energy is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States. It owns a diversified fleet of generating units, totaling approximately 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity, and is a leading advocate for clean, environmentally sustainable energy sources, such as solar power and nuclear energy. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. A FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Baltimore, Constellation Energy had revenues of $14.3 billion in 2010.

SOURCE MXenergy