Today is the official start of summer, but we’ve been feeling the heat all week.

The Public Utility Commission is urging consumers to explore simple ways to stay cool, while conserving energy and keep summer power bills manageable.

Ways to stay cool

There are several simple things most consumers can do, at little or no added cost, to increase summer comfort. Here are some tips from the PUC and PPL Electric:

• Follow the Shade - Spend time in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight.

• Raise thermostat - Wear light clothing and set the thermostat to between 72 and 78 degrees to save energy. The federal Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees.

• Fans - Circulating air with a fan can help people feel up to 4 degrees cooler, without needing to lower the thermostat. It costs much less to move air than to cool it. But use ceiling fans only in the rooms that will be occupied. Using a ceiling fan often lets you raise the temperature setting on your thermostat by one to three degrees.

• Block the Heat - Make sure drapes and shades are pulled down during the sunniest time of day to reduce heat buildup.

• Don’t Add Extra Heat - Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances like dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers during the warmest hours of the day. Incandescent light bulbs also produce heat, so switching to cooler and more efficient LED bulbs is a smart choice.

• Cookout - Consider using outdoor barbecue grills or microwaves instead of stoves or ovens.

Staying safe

PPL urges people to stay safe in extreme heat situations. Find a cool place, drink plenty of fluids, stay informed, and check on elderly family members or neighbors.

Take measures to avoid heat stress or illness and keep homes cool. During periods like this, air conditioning is a matter of health and safety, not only convenience and comfort.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the primary way to prevent heat illness is with air conditioning.

The CDC urges people without air conditioning to seek out cooler places - shopping malls, libraries or public cooling centers - to avoid the heat.

And for people struggling to pay their electric bills, PPL has a variety of programs to help people who may be struggling to pay their bills. Contact them for more information at www.pplelectric.com/billhelp.