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Keeping Your Cool in Extreme Heat

As scorching temperatures loom, it's essential to find ways to stay cool while keeping an eye on your energy bills. FirstEnergy Corp., an established utility provider, has shared useful strategies to help consumers navigate through the heat while managing their energy expenses effectively.

Beat the Heat: Simple Strategies

FirstEnergy emphasizes several easy-to-follow tips that can significantly reduce energy costs:

1. Use Fans Efficiently: Ceiling or box fans can circulate air and provide a cooling effect, giving your air conditioning system a much-deserved break.

2. Turn Off Unused Appliances: Ensure that window AC units, lights, and fans are turned off in unoccupied rooms, cutting down unnecessary energy usage.

3. Adjust Thermostat Settings: Setting your thermostat higher than usual can help keep your energy costs from spiking. Aim for the highest comfortable temperature.

4. Block Out the Sun: Keeping blinds or curtains closed during the day prevents sun heat from entering your home, maintaining a cooler indoor environment.

5. Close Off Unused Rooms: By blocking vents and shutting doors to rooms that aren't being used, you can concentrate the cool air where you need it most.

6. Time Your Chores Wisely: Save activities that generate heat, like laundry, dishwashing, and cooking, for cooler parts of the day.

7. Grill Outside: Avoid heating up your kitchen by cooking outdoors on the grill whenever possible.

8. Unplug Electronics: Make it a habit to unplug devices and chargers when they are not in use to eliminate phantom energy drain.

9. Maintain Your HVAC System: Regularly clean or replace HVAC filters to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently.

10. Seal Air Leaks: Inspect doors and windows for air leaks and seal them to keep the cool air inside your home.

Supporting Your Energy Budget

FirstEnergy offers a variety of resources to assist you in managing your energy use throughout the year. Visit firstenergycorp.com/saveenergy for tools and programs designed to help you maintain control over your energy consumption.

If you find yourself struggling with high bills, consider exploring assistance programs available at firstenergycorp.com/billassist. Options like budget billing can make monthly payments more manageable and predictable.

Staying Safe During Heat Waves

During times of extreme heat, personal safety should be a priority. Here are some precautions advised by health authorities:

• - Hydrate: Always drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid heat-related illnesses.
• - Limit Outdoor Activities: It’s best to avoid strenuous outdoor work or play during peak heat hours.
• - Use Air-Conditioned Spaces: If you don’t have AC at home, locate public places with air conditioning, such as community cooling centers, to cool off.
• - Check on Vulnerable Neighbors: Reach out to neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or have existing health conditions, to ensure they remain safe and hydrated.
• - Never Leave Children or Pets in Vehicles: The interior of parked cars can heat up quickly, posing serious risks.
• - Recognize Heat Illness Symptoms: Know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and seek medical assistance promptly if needed.

Reporting Outages and Staying Updated

If you experience a power outage, it’s important to report it promptly so FirstEnergy can restore power safely and efficiently. You can report outages in various ways:

• - Phone: Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
• - Text: Send ‘OUT’ to LIGHTS (544487)
• - Online: Visit firstenergycorp.com/outages

To receive updates on outages, enroll in alert services by texting ‘REG’ to 544487 and check status updates by sending ‘STAT’ to the same number.

FirstEnergy remains committed to safety, integrity, and providing reliable service. As one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the U.S., they proudly serve millions across multiple states. For updates and more information, follow FirstEnergy on their official site and on social media platforms.