My Power Rush Hour® day

Below is a sample diary of a Power Rush Hour day. Read through it for ideas and adapt these tips to fit your own schedule.

7-9 a.m.

Start a load of laundry on a cold-water cycle in the morning. Remember, it’s best to run clothes washers and dishwashers only when you have a full load. Then, run your clothes dryer on the shortest cycle possible. Running heat-generating appliances early in the morning will help save energy later during peak times.

10 a.m.-noon

Make a trip to the grocery store to purchase foods that don’t require cooking — like lunch meat and bread for sandwiches, and fresh fruits and vegetables for salads. If you’re away from home for more than four hours, raise your thermostat to 80 degrees to avoid higher HVAC use while you’re not home to enjoy it. When you return home, slowly turn down the temperature to 78 degrees or your desired setting.

POWER RUSH HOUR: 2-7 p.m.

During peak times, avoid using large appliances. Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Close all blinds and drapes on sun-facing windows to keep any additional heat out. Then, head outside and make dinner on the grill. Try to limit trips in and out of your home and close all exterior doors tightly to keep cool air inside.

8 p.m.

This is a good time to run the full dishwasher. When it’s time for bed, fall asleep with a ceiling fan on. The U.S. Department of Energy says fans can help you stay up to 4 degrees cooler, so you can keep cool all night without having to lower your thermostat. RUSH HOUR®

Visit pec.coop/power-rush-hour to learn more.