DWP Helps Angelenos Ride the Heat Wave.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 1998--As Angelenos swelter in the summer heat, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power  offers these no-cost/low-cost ways to keep cool:

-- Keep draperies drawn and windows closed. This will prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from seeping through glass areas.

-- Seal off unused rooms. Turn thermostats off and leave vents closed in unoccupied rooms to save energy.

-- Help your air conditioner work more efficiently. During summer afternoons, try to limit the use of heat producing appliances in the kitchen and laundry areas. Also, turn off unnecessary lights.

-- Clean or replace air conditioner filters at least twice each summer.

-- "Night flushing" or ventilating at night to clear the heat from your home cools the structure so it begins the next day at a lower temperature. In the morning, close all the windows to keep the heat out as long as possible.

-- Room andceiling fans help circulate air within a room, blow air over your body and draw heat away. When used with an air conditioner, the thermostat may be set higher, which reduces the energy used by the air conditioner.

-- Encourage airflow through your home by opening windows on opposite walls (one allows cooler air in, the other allows warmer air out). Place a fan in the window to boost the flow of air through your home.

-- Weather-strip and seal around all doors and windows to keep the heat out and the cool air in.

"These are simple inexpensive tips to stay cool," said DWP Energy Efficiency Director Ted Flanigan. "However, there are many other effective ways to keep the heat out this summer. If you are in the market for a new air conditioning unit, look for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit. While an energy efficient model may be higher in price than another model, the lower cost of operation will offset the higher purchase price over a period of a few years."

For the home exterior, customers might consider planting shade trees on the south, east and west sides of the house, he said. Trellises, awnings, window films and outside shade screens over windows also can keep homes cool while saving energy and money.

"Roofs are traditionally dark in color," Flanigan said. "When re-roofing, think `light' to keep cool, using light-colored roofing materials or a light-colored coating. In addition, a radiant barrier (thin sheets of shiny material) can be stapled to the underside of the roof rafters to block the heat before it reaches the ceiling below. Insulating also reduces heat gain during the summer. When installing new windows, consider `super-windows' that block incoming solar heat and insulate to keep the cool in."

Other methods include the installation of additional roof vents to allow hot air to escape. A whole-house fan in the ceiling is a powerful fan that can replace all the air in the home with outside air every five minutes. Also, evaporative coolers, mounted on the roof, wall or window, are devices that blow air over a water-soaked pad and into a home. These units reduce the interior air temperature, while requiring only a fifth of the electricity used by air conditioners.

   CONTACT:  Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles
              Sandra Tanaka, 213/367-1361
                             213/367-3227 (after 4:30 p.m.)