Oregon heat wave poll: What temperature do you set your AC to?

The Willamette Valley is gearing up for extreme temperatures at or over 100 degrees in the coming days as the incoming heat dome will bring the warmest weather the area has seen so far this year.

To start off the summer, weather has been mild and temperatures have not reached extreme levels or warranted heat warnings. Now is the time to start thinking about using air conditioning and finding alternative ways to stay cool.

What temperature do you set your air conditioning to?

Where to stay cool if you don't have AC

Officials said vulnerable groups and people without access to air conditioning will be at most risk. In the 2021 heat dome, 123 people died due to the heat wave. Multiple places across Salem will be providing cooling centers. Here's where to go.

Air conditioners for eligible OHP members

Oregon launched new climate-related benefits as part of the state’s federally funded expansion of Oregon Health Plan coverage.

This includes health-related social needs services that help maintain health and well-being but are not traditionally thought of as medical services such as air conditioners, air filters, mini refrigeration units and portable power supplies to eligible OHP members.

OHP members interested in receiving climate devices should contact their coordinated care organization CCO to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557.

The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1536 to limit landlords' ability to restrict renters from installing portable air conditioners and also directed $5 million to the Oregon Health Authority to create a program to purchase and distribute air conditioners and filters on an emergency basis to eligible individuals.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program recommends people set their thermostats to 78 degrees upon waking to balance comfort with energy efficiency. However, a 2021 Consumer Report found that the average responses from participants with centralized AC set the temperature at 71 degrees, both during the day when they were home and at night while sleeping. Energy Star’s recommendation is for AC units to be set at four degrees warmer while sleeping and at seven degrees warmer when folks are out of the home.

PGE encourages customers to safely reduce power use during extreme temperatures

Portland General Electric officials are encouraging customers to reduce power use during the heat wave to support service reliability.

The high heat means customers are using more electricity to cool their homes and businesses, PGE officials said. High demand places extra stress on electrical equipment, leading to power outages.

Summer power use typically peaks between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. During these periods, company officials advise residential customers to take the following actions as safety allows:

• Use a thermostat to manage temperatures carefully for air conditioning
• Turn the thermostat up a few degrees to help reduce power consumption.
• If temperatures cool down enough for comfort, consider turning the AC off at night and opening windows to cool with outside air.
• During daytime hours, run the AC only when home and keep daytime temperatures at the highest comfortable level. Cool only rooms lived in.

• Avoid using large electrical appliances like ovens, dishwashers and washing machines during peak morning and evening electricity use periods.
• Consider setting electric cars to charge during off-peak hours.
• Turn off all unnecessary electrical equipment like home entertainment systems, computers, copiers and lights when not in use.

PGE officials said high demand places stress on electrical equipment, leading to power outages. Residents are advised to have an outage kit with supplies like flashlights, chargers, frozen cold packs, batteries and water ready just in case.

Learn more energy-saving tips at portlandgeneral.com/tips.

Statesman Journal reporter Whitney Woodworth and Register-Guard reporter Hannarose McGuinness contributed to this report.

Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached atelogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan