Track your energy use
Sign in to your PGE account online to see your energy use by the day, week or hour. Look for “My Energy Use” to see where you use energy and where you can save.
Fill out the Home Energy Analysis quiz to get customized recommendations for your home.
Take advantage of cooler outdoor air
If it's safe, open windows during cooler nights and mornings and use a fan to draw in that cool air.
When it gets to about 75 to 80 degrees out, close windows, doors and window coverings to keep cool air in — and use an indoor fan. Running a portable window fan instead of an AC unit at night can save an average home an estimated monthly savings of $32.
Run appliances such as ovens, stovetops, dishwashers and clothes dryers at night or in the early morning.
Maximize cool and minimize costs with fans and window AC
When paired with open windows, fans bring in cool morning or evening air. But once windows are closed, use fans only when someone’s in the room.
On most ceiling fans, the counterclockwise direction pushes air down, which is what you want in summer, so that the air blows across your skin, creating a cooling effect. Check your fan’s specific instructions or do a quick online search to find out how to adjust the direction your fan is spinning.
Choose the right size AC unit for your room or home to avoid wasting energy.
Consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR unit if your equipment is old or inefficient.
Keep your window units running until it’s cool enough to switch to fans or open windows. Remember, your AC works best and costs less when it runs steadily, so avoid turning it on and off too often.
