Summer Energy Saving Tips
When summer happens in Florida, utility costs rise with the outside temperature. What can you do to keep costs down? We went to our local electric provider, Florida Power and Light, to get some answers.
- Optimize your thermostat by setting your thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest temperature where you can still be comfortable while you are home and 82 degrees when you’re away. Each degree you raise your thermostat between 75 to 78 degrees can save you 3-5% on your monthly cooling costs. That’s a lot when cooling makes up approximately 60% of your bill!
- Block heat by closing blinds and drapes during the day to reduce indoor heat gain.
- Use fans wisely. Ceiling fans can make you feel cooler while using less energy than air conditioning. Set them to spin counterclockwise in summer and turn them off when you leave the room.
- Reduce heat production by avoiding the oven; instead opt for grilling, microwaving or stovetop cooking instead.
- Use efficient lighting by replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which generate less heat and energy. Replacing just 5 incandescent lightbulbs with LED ones, can save you about $40 a year. LEDs can save up to 85% off your lighting energy costs and last 15 times longer.
Want to take things a step further? FPL offers a Time of Use (TOU) program that helps you lower your utility costs by using power at off peak times. In other words, if you’re a night owl, do your laundry after 11 pm for maximum savings. Most people are using more power during the daylight hours. FPL estimates that during peak hours, the cost is about 26 cents per kilowatt-hour, while off-peak hours cost around 9 cents. There are enrollment terms and limitations for TOU and the program requires an annual commitment. Enrollment takes about three months and requires a new meter.
FPL offers some cool tools on their website. You can analyze your home energy use by answering a few questions. From there, you can drill down to see what you can do to lower your usage in a particular area, and save. FPL calls this their Energy Manager. Login to your FPL account to access this helpful tool.
Lastly, this one should be easy. Do you unplug things when you aren’t using them? Did you know your TV is using power, even when you’re not watching it? It uses phantom or standby power so it’s ready to go when you pick up the remote. Your cable box uses a lot of phantom power, followed by your computer, followed by your coffee pot. We love the convenience phantom power provides but we’re paying for it. So unplugging things when they aren’t in use – saves power and money.
If you are the owner of a new construction, Holiday Builders’ home, you’re ahead of the game. Energy-star rated appliances, new HVAC systems, smart thermostats, and tightly sealed windows and doors all go a long way toward energy savings. Holiday Builders has been building new homes in Florida for 42 years. Learn about floorplans, communities, warranties and more at HolidayBuilders.com.
Tags: Energy savings, lower electric bills, new homes, utility costs
