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Richard Piatt ReportingIf you use air conditioning, drive, or water your lawn, you are also bombarded with requests to conserve, especially when it's hot. But how likely are Utahns to do that?
It's hot, but they're asking you to use less air conditioning. It's dry, but you're supposed to limit your watering. And, don't drive so much, when you can actually see the air. We hear this all the time, but are people in Utah doing it?
Is it really so bad to mow your lawn in the middle of the day? What about sprinkling when the afternoon sun is high? Don't you wonder if your little car really contributes to that murky haze?
The official answer to all these questions is YES. That's why officials like Stephanie Duer, a water conservation expert, exist.
Stephanie Duer, Water Conservation Coordinator: "In terms of watering guidelines for lawns, it's about anybody that has a turf."
But when it's hot, are people really willing to conserve? Our exclusive Survey USA says affirmative. 76 percent of 500 adults say they've already taken steps to conserve summer water.
Jean Broom: "I know the population is growing here, and I'd like to see people continue to have a high quality of life."
In Salt Lake, the numbers confirm it, city residents used 210-million gallons a July 8th and 9th in 2002. This year, they used 160-million gallons a day.
Keeping cool is another matter. People are a little more reluctant to raise their thermostat to save power. There are a lot of people--but not everyone--taking part in programs like Utah power's 'Cool Keeper', saving energy by shutting the air down every so often.
Wendy Shaw: "You have your air conditioning in your house for a reason, to keep your house cool."
Utah Power says various programs in six states have saved 133-thousand 500 megawatt hours of power last year. The average home uses 1 mega watt in a year.
And when it comes to notdriving, 61 percent say it's reasonalbe to ask people not to use their cars; but, like anything, it's not unanimous.
Harold Wilkie: "I'll crank the AC up, I'll drive, I'll water."
For some, it's not just about saving energy or power, it's about saving yourself during this heat.
