Conditions in the area are hot and humid and many consumers are cranking up their air conditioners to stay cool. As a result, MidAmerican Energy is issuing an energy use peak alert, requesting customers to conserve energy in the coming days. Ida, Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Crawford, Carroll and Greene Counties are under a heat advisory until Saturday at 8 p.m., with possible heat index values of 110 degrees. Shelby, Audubon and Guthrie Counties are under an excessive heat warning with heat index values reaching as high as 115 degrees in the coming days. MidAmerican Energy suggests limiting energy-using chores, like clothes drying, baking and other heat-producing work, be completed before sunrise or after sunset. Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher will reduce the load on the energy grid and save money on bills. Simply blocking sunlight from coming in through doors or windows will also keep energy consumption down. Most importantly, if you need to be outdoors during the excessive heat, be sure to stay hydrated and take periodic breaks to prevent heat exhaustion.
