Little things you do around the house can go a long way.
The summer temperatures are creeping up on us, and soon customers may notice an increase in their monthly electric bill. According to the U.S Energy Information Administration, Florida is second to Texas in retail electrical utility sales during the summer. But living without air-conditioning is not an option in the sunshine state, so finding ways to reduce your electricity usage is key.
Here are 5 tips on how you can lower your electrical costs while staying nice and cool.
Get Techy with your A/C
Programmable thermostats offer more than just a brightly colored digital panel on your wall. They can actually save you up to $150 a year on your electric bill. Use the timer to have your air-conditioner set at a higher temperature while you are not home. And you don’t need to come home to a balmy house, use the program your system to have your unit drop a few degrees before your arrival. That’s futuristic and thrifty combined. For more information on installing a programmable timer in your home, call any AAA Able office for more information.
Be a Spin Doctor
Ceiling fans can really help keep you cool and enhance the function of your air-conditioner. By using a fan, you can reduce your temperature on your thermostat about 4 degrees and that can equal a nice savings. Why run the entire unit at 72 degrees when you are only in one or two of the rooms in the house? By using a fan where you are, you are keeping yourself cool and saving on energy costs.
Shower Power
Did you know that heating water accounts for up to 25% of the energy consumed in your home according to the U.S. Department of Energy? They suggest turning your setting on your water heater to 120 degrees F, which will help reduce your monthly bill and prevent a surprise scalding.
Show How Bright You Are
Your Mom always told you to turn on a light while reading. Well, Mom’s are always right, and now you can save those precious eyes and save money. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They emit less heat, produce great light and use about 70% less energy. That can translate into nearly 10% savings on your electrical bill.
It’s Okay to be a Turn Off
We cannot live without our beloved electronics. From computers and TV’s, to coffee makers and radios, our lives are made easier and more enjoyable by such wonderful inventions. But sometimes when not in use, these items are still affecting our electrical costs. Leaving a computer on all day can cost nearly $.21 per day or $75 per year according to the U.S. Department of Energy. So when you aren’t using them, turn them off or unplug them to save a little.
Just by doing one or all of these cost-cutting measures, you can put a little change back in your pocket without depriving yourself of much needed air-conditioning. And if you find that after you have exercised these tips and still don’t see any reduction in your bill, try scheduling an appointment with an AAA Able service technician to make sure your A/C unit is performing correctly.
