PG&E offers these tips to stay cool while saving energy during this week's hot weather:

o On very hot days, electric demand is high between 2 and 7 p.m. Try to do laundry, dishwashing, vacuuming and other high-energy activity before or after these hours to help reduce strain on the power grid and for less reliance on fossil-fuel power generation.
o In the cooling season, set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when you're at home, health permitting. Savings: 10 percent to 20 percent of cooling costs.
o When away from your home during the cooling season, set your air conditioner at 85 degrees. Savings: 5 percent to 12 percent of cooling costs.
o Provide shading for your air conditioning condenser. Savings: 2 percent to 3 percent of cooling costs.
o Switch pool filter and sweeper operations to off-peak hours. Peak hours are between 2 and 7 p.m. Consider replacing pool pumps and motors with energy-efficient equipment. Savings depend on your use.
o Shorten the operating time for your swimming pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep (if your pool has one). For winter, two hours a day of filtering could cut your filter's energy use by 40 percent to 50 percent, yet keep your pool clean.
o Pool covers save energy and money. 70 percent of pool heat loss is by evaporation.
o Use exterior shading devices or deciduous plants to shade your home and windows from the sun. Savings: Up to 8 percent of cooling costs.

NO COST ACTIONS
o Turn off equipment when not in use, like appliances, lights, televisions, computer monitors and printers.
o Set air conditioner thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting. When away from home, raise your thermostat to 85 degrees.
o Clean or replace air conditioner filters monthly during the cooling season.
o Keep the sun and heat out of your house by closing drapes or blinds on south and west facing windows.
o Activate power-saving features on your computers and office equipment when not in use.
o Do full loads when using your clothes washer dryer and dishwasher.
o Unplug and recycle your second refrigerator.

LOW-COST ACTIONS
o Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
o Replace hazardous halogen torchiere lamps with ENERGY STAR fluorescent torchieres.
o Consider purchasing a whole house fan to cool your house, or use a portable evaporative cooler if you live in a hot, dry climate.
o Use dimmers, timers and motion sensors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
o Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to prevent unnecessary heating or cooling.

For more information, call PG&E's Smarter Energy Line at 1-800- 933-9555.