Since it is officially summer and South Florida is experiencing high temperatures, staying cool has quickly become everyone’s No. 1 priority.
For many Floridians, keeping the house comfortable isn’t just about luxury. However, as the mercury rises, so do monthly utility bills. According to Florida Power & Light Co., summer cooling costs can account for up to 60% of an average household’s total energy bill.
To help residents navigate what is fast becoming Florida’s heat, FPL energy expert Bianca Soriano shared practical, cost-effective strategies to maximize energy efficiency and keep hard-earned money from escaping out the window.
1. Rethink your thermostat
The single biggest strain on your wallet during a heat wave is your air-conditioning unit. Soriano highlights that managing your thermostat settings is the most direct way to control your monthly expenses.
“We recommend that if you are going to be out of your home for an extended period of time, turn up your thermostat to 82 degrees,” Soriano said. “And the reason is, when you turn off the AC, it’ll have to work really, really hard to get down to that level you want it. Let’s say 74 or 73 degrees versus when you put it at 82. Your home won’t consume as much electricity, but when you return, your AC unit won’t work as hard to get your temperature down.”
2. Use your existing fans wisely
Ceiling fans are an incredibly efficient tool, capable of making a room feel 3 to 4 degrees cooler while consuming a fraction of the energy an air conditioner uses. However, they only work if you are actually in the space to experience them.
“If you’ve got ceiling fans at home, it is a lot less costly than turning your thermostat down,” Soriano said. “But when you leave the room, turn it off. Fans cool people, not rooms.”
Ensure your ceiling fan is explicitly set to spin counterclockwise during the summer months to push a cooling breeze straight down.
3. Trap the cold air
Nearly 30% of a home’s unwanted heat enters directly through the windows. Soriano recommends a quick, literal “hands-on” audit of your house to find major problem areas.
“Just take a walk through your home and put your hand up to a window or door,” suggested Soriano. “If you can visibly see or feel that there’s a gap in a window seat or a door seal, that hot air is coming in, which means your cool air is escaping. That’s a waste of energy.”
Fixing these gaps doesn’t require a costly professional. Standard caulking or weather-stripping materials from a local hardware store are inexpensive and intuitive to install. Additionally, keeping your blinds or curtains firmly shut during the hottest hours of the afternoon will block out heavy solar heat.
4. Give your AC unit regular maintenance
Your thermostat and your HVAC system work hand-in-hand. To ensure the machine isn’t wasting electricity struggling against a clogged system, homeowners should commit to two quick habits:
Residents looking for a deep-dive look into their daily habits can utilize the FPL Energy Manager tool at FPL.com. The free dashboard tracks exactly when, where, and how your home is using power alongside outside temperatures so you can pinpoint exactly what is driving up your bill.
5. Make other small adjustments
Soriano emphasizes that even the smallest lifestyle tweaks add up significantly over the course of a three-month Florida summer:
For customers wanting to learn more about tracking their data, exploring available rebates, or looking into financial assistance and crisis programs, more information is available directly at FPL.com.
Emmy Bailey is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Are you cooling your home wrong? FPL reveals habits to lower your bill
Reporting by Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
