PROVIDENCE - Summer is in full swing, and hotter temperatures are on the way.

And while the holiday weekend will bring lots of backyard barbecues and enjoying the outdoors, it also may mean using more electricity to cool both you and your home.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, air-conditioning costs account for approximately 12% of total home energy expenses, but by taking some simple steps you can get ahead of your energy bills this summer. Rhode Island Energy has tips and programs so you can save both energy and costs to help offset the impact of increased summer usage and the inflation that is impacting all sectors of the economy.

One of the easiest ways to make an impact on your energy use is by making your home more energy efficient. Consider these energy-efficiency tips to beat the heat this summer: Be a big fan, of fans: Ceiling fans are economical and cost far less to use than air conditioners. Remember to only use ceiling fans in occupied rooms because they work on the wind-chill effect to cool people. Plus, using a ceiling fan lets you raise the temperature setting on your thermostat by one to three degrees.

Make your thermostat, thermo-smart: Speaking of thermostats, a Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature settings in your home to save you money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on cooling by turning your thermostat up seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day.

Keep the cold air in, and hot air out: Insulating your attic helps keep heat out. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes - in places like gaps around windows and doors - and adding insulation in attics and floors over crawl spaces and basements.

Save the chores for nighttime: Minimize the use of major heat-generating appliances - such as dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers - during the warmest hours of the day. They increase heat gain in your home.

Don't overdo the AC: Just because you have the thermostat set to 68, doesn't mean your home will cool any faster. Lowering your thermostat setting makes the air conditioner run longer and use more energy. So be sure to pick an adequate setting and run with it during the summer season.

Additionally, here are some other ways to save with RI Energy

Track your use: Once you've incorporated some energy-efficiency changes into your life, you can analyze how they are helping to decrease your overall usage at RIEnergy.com. You can quickly and easily sign up for an online account and track your electricity use over time. You'll be able to compare month to month, and use that knowledge to continue to make small changes to save yourself some money.

Try budget billing: Another way you can take control of your energy bill this summer is through our budget billing program. We'll take the average of your electricity use over the past year and even out your monthly payments to make them more predictable. Plus, we've made it easier than ever to enroll. You can sign up for budget billing on our website by signing into your online account and clicking, 'Payment Assistance' to begin the process.

Shop for the best rate: At Rhode Island Energy, we deliver your electricity, but we don't own the power plants where it's generated. In Rhode Island you can shop around for a supplier that offers what's right for you, such as the lowest cost provider or a renewable energy generator. If you do choose to shop, we encourage you to pay attention to the specific terms of the agreements you sign. Sometimes suppliers offer introductory offers or special incentives. Beware of variable rates that often start low and then increase significantly with the price of energy. You can learn more about alternate suppliers by visiting the Rhode Island Division of Public Carriers website at www.ri.gov/app/dpuc/empowerri.

Get help paying: If you fall behind on your bill, or just need an extension to make your payment, we can help. Check out our assistance programs and payment agreements by clicking 'Help Making Payments' at RIEnergy.com.

From helping to make your home more energy efficient to offering ways to track usage, RI Energy has ways to help you take control of your energy use this summer.

About Rhode Island Energy

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity or natural gas. Our team is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive, while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions.

Contact:

Shelby Matzell

Tel: 401-799-7000

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