Energy-saving tips for summer in South Florida

Setting your thermostat to refreshing temperatures indoors when the weather is sizzling outdoors is nice. But it’s not necessarily wallet friendly.

FPL and the US Department of Energy offer energy-saving tips for keeping electricity use down during summer.

Drapes Use drapes to keep sunlight out
A/C settings FPL recommends turning the thermostat to 78 degrees or above with thermostat fan on auto when residents are in the house and 82 degrees when away
Avoid an extra-cold setting your thermostat when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense
On hot days, avoid using the oven
Pool Pumps Limit running time, six hours in summer, four hours in winter
Airflow Maintain proper airflow by keeping interior doors and vents open to help air circulate
AC Filters Clean or replace your AC filter regularly to help your unit run more efficiently
AC units Consider a new high-efficiency air conditioner if yours is more than 10 years old, needs frequent repairs and doesn’t keep your home cool. FPL’s A/C Buying Guide offers information on selecting the right system for your home
Lights Replace old bulbs with LED bulbs. Each LED bulb will save you about $70 in energy costs over the life of the bulb
Home Survey: Take FPL’s Online Home Energy Survey for an energy-savings plan tailored for your home. The survey is integrated with your home’s Energy Dashboard so you are able to see just how much energy you use by the hour, day or month
Water heater reduce temperature from 140 degrees to 120 degrees, and save an estimated $2 a month
Showerheads Replace old, high-flow showerheads with water-efficient showerheads
Washers Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water. Use a cold rinse
Dryers Clean lint filter before every load to dry your clothes faster. Use the auto sensor function to avoid extra energy used over-drying your clothes
Ceiling Fans Use a fan to keep cool so you can raise your thermostat even higher. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room. A fan that runs all the time costs up to $7 a month, FPL states

The FPL website also includes a information about a discount offer from ecobee, a firm that sells smart thermostats. The discounts are $30 & $60 on select products.

Information is online

FPL Tips

Enjoy other posts