RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Virginia Power urges customers to stay safe in the heat and to use electricity wisely as regional temperatures and humidity remain extremely high today.

"Dominion always encourages our customers to use electricity prudently and to take measures that allow them to save money while remaining safe and comfortable," said Paul D. Koonce, chief executive officer of Dominion Virginia Power. "There are adequate supplies of electricity and transmission capacity to meet anticipated customer demand."

The company is urging all residents -- especially the elderly and young children -- to take precautions when going out in the heat and to limit their outdoor activities. Customers with special needs -- particularly elderly and ill persons without air conditioning who are most vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures and high humidity -- should be checked on frequently.

The elderly and those in need can find relief from the summer heat through Dominion Virginia Power's EnergyShare assistance program. A qualified individual can receive a one-time maximum cooling assistance payment of up to $300. The program runs through Sept. 30. Local health and human service agencies administer the program. For more information, individuals should contact Dominion's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-(888)-667-3000.

Fan Care, now in its 19(th) year, also assists seniors in Virginia with cooling their homes. Dominion is partnering with Wal-Mart and the Virginia Department for the Aging to provide free fans to qualified individuals who live in the company's service area. Fan Care is funded by an annual grant of $50,000 from Dominion.

It also is important to be especially sensitive to pets, allowing them to stay inside as often as possible and keeping them hydrated with plenty of water.

To help lower electric bills and energy usage while keeping homes comfortable, Dominion recommends customers to:

• Schedule activities that require hot water -- such as washing dishes or clothes -- for the early morning or late evening. This will result in less heat and humidity being added to your home.
• Avoid using your stove, if possible, because it adds excess heat to your home. Consider grilling outdoors or preparing ready-to-eat foods.
• Raising the temperature setting by only one degree can help you save energy and money in the summer. A setting of 78 degrees is recommended by many energy experts.
• Use ceiling fans and portable floor fans to circulate the air in your home. If a house does not have air conditioning, fans are essential for cooling. In homes with air conditioning, fans enable residents to raise the temperature on the thermostat and save energy without affecting comfort.
• Turn off unnecessary lights during hot weather. Incandescent bulbs add to the heat in the home. Consider switching to cooler, energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Close drapes during the hottest times of the day to block heat from entering the home. Sunny windows account for a significant amount of unwanted heat and make air conditioners work much harder.
• Ensure that window air conditioners are sized correctly. Ones that are too small will run constantly but not cool the room; ones that are too large use more energy than necessary.
• Clean filters to window air-conditioning units and clean or replace filters to central air-conditioning systems. Clogged and dirty filters cause air conditioners to use more energy than necessary to cool a home.
• Clear attic vents. If the home has an attic fan, make sure it functions properly.
• Stock your refrigerator with containers of water. A full refrigerator operates more efficiently than an empty one.
• Use Dominion's energy conservation blog at http://e-conserve.blogspot.com/ to share tips on conserving energy.

Customers going out in the heat should drink plenty of water and limit outdoor activities. To remain safe in hot weather, Dominion urges everyone to:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If you must work outside, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Stay indoors in a cool place, especially during the afternoon when temperatures are highest.
• If you must go outdoors, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Try to wear natural products such as cotton and avoid synthetics.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at http://www.dom.com.

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power

SOURCE: Dominion Virginia Power

Web site: http://www.dom.com/