Heat advisory issued for Santa Clara County

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Gilroy has been issued a heat advisory that goes into effect Tuesday 11 am through Tuesday 8am. As the heat advisory continues the rise of PG&E bills soar.

The National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, and the Center for Energy, Poverty and Climate, released projections for this year. They say the financial burden on families while cooling their homes will jump nearly 8% across the United States.

People who are being hit with the heat are finding alternative ways to cool down.

“I normally use my fan in my house right by my chair rather than turning the air conditioner on, or I float in my pool for a while," Jerry Kiosk a Gilroy resident said.

The recent heat advisory in the far inland mountains and valleys are feeling it already, it was high 90s in Gilroy today.

“That’s when you want to close your windows, shut your blinds, take advantage of those blackout drapes too," Stephanie Magallon from PG&E said. "That’s really gonna keep your home cooler for longer."

With the heat advisory, it's important to limit outdoor activities during the afternoon or evening.

“I restrict my travel around the city, probably put the air conditioner on if needed, but I try to run the ceiling fan so that I don’t need to use the ac as much," Mike Lane from Gilroy said.

if you decide to use air conditioning, PG&E recommends.

“Make sure you’re setting your thermostat at 78° so that your air conditioner will turn off automatically once your home reaches that comfortable temperature and it’s not over cooling your home," Magallon said.

The heat advisory for our area ends tonight at 8 pm.