During the warm days of summer, thermometer readings – and air conditioning bills – tend to run high. While keeping homes cool in the Florida heat is undeniably a necessity, implementing a few simple habits can help you and your family stay comfortable and save money. Follow these six simple steps to see savings on your summer electric bill.
- Set your thermostat to a realistic temperature. If you’re someone who likes to keep your AC below 75 degrees, setting your indoor temperature a few degrees higher can have a big impact on your bill. In fact, the Department of Energy recommends no lower than 78 degrees. Ceiling fans or portable electric fans are great alternatives that help you stay comfortable while consuming less electricity.
- Turn the temperature up when you’re not home. Before you leave the house, turn your AC to a higher temperature (preferably 82-83 degrees) so the unit doesn’t have to work as hard during the hottest hours of the day. Smart thermostats make it easy to automate this process: You can set up a weekly schedule or remotely adjust the temperature from your phone.
- Don’t shut your AC unit off completely. If you’re going to be gone for a long time – for example, on vacation – you may think your home doesn’t need any cooling at all. However, air conditioning doesn’t just keep your home cool; it also plays a key role in controlling humidity and mold. And when you return home, your AC unit will use more electricity as it works overtime to bring the temperature back down.
- Turn down the temperature of your water heater. One advantage of Florida’s summer weather is that you may not need as much electricity to keep your water hot. If your tap water is comfortable for day-to-day use, consider setting your heater to a lower temperature to reduce your electric usage.
- Get your free OUC efficiency audit. If you feel like the AC is always on, or you notice spikes in your energy usage in hot weather, underlying problems (such as poor insulation) may be to blame. To help customers identify opportunities to save, take advantage of OUC’s free energy audits. The utility is pleased to provide free efficiency audits with experienced inspectors.
Looking for more ways to save? Explore OUC’s home energy usage fact sheet – or schedule your free Energy & Water Conservation audit today.