The BEST Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in Record Heat is…

It's HOT, and we haven't experienced anything when it comes to what forecasters are predicting for the next several days.

On Thursday morning there were about 1,000 people in Kennewick without power. Fortunately, it was restored within a couple of hours.

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There are ways to save money, use less energy, and keep your air conditioner operating smoothly in a heatwave.

Power companies recommend that you set your thermostat to 78 degrees. If you're cooling your home below that temperature can increase your bill.

Don't turn off your air conditioner when you leave. Instead, set it to a higher temp. (85 degrees is recommended) By doing this, your air conditioner uses less electricity to cool the house than if the unit was off all day.

Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature around your schedule. Set it to start bringing your home’s temperature from 85 degrees down to 78 degrees about 30 minutes before you get home.

Close blinds and drapes to keep the sun out.

Open windows in the evening and early morning to let in cool air.

Use fans. Ceiling and window fans use much less electricity than air conditioning.

It's also beneficial to run your air conditioner in fan-only mode when temperatures drop. It saves bucks.

Run your heat-producing appliances like the oven, dishwasher, and dryer early in the morning or late at night.

Use a microwave, slow cooker, or toaster oven. A toaster oven uses much less energy than a regular oven and releases less heat.

Turn off lamps, TVs, and computers when you're not using them.

Here are the record temps:

Stay cool and remember: stay hydrated. Drink WATER. For more information on how to stay safe in excessive heat, click the button below.