Small Changes for Saving Energy this Summer

As the weather heats up, lowering your energy bill can be as simple as making a few small changes around your home. Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) offers top tips to help customers save energy and money like an expert – and beat the heat this summer.

“Today, there are more tools than ever that customers can use to understand their energy usage and make changes that can help lower their bills,” said FPL Energy Expert Tiffany Spence-Cox. “While some customers who rent apartments or condos may not be able to invest in permanent energy-efficiency improvements, we want them to know there are simple, easy things they can do to save energy and money.”

“You already have control over the top driver of your energy bill – and that’s how you use your A/C. Because it’s hotter in the summer, your air conditioning unit runs longer to keep you cool. We recommend cooling your home to 78 degrees, but understand that’s not for everyone. Keep in mind that small changes add up: each degree you raise your thermostat can save you five percent on your monthly cooling costs.” If your ac unit isn’t functioning properly, it may be using more energy than usual so make sure to get an air conditioner repair service immediately.

Quick and easy tips to lower your energy bill

Whether you live in an apartment, condo building or in a single-family home, the status of your residential air conditioning installation can make a rather substantial difference in how efficiently it runs, and as such how much of an impact it can have on your electricity bill. The following are some of FPL’s top tips to help you save energy and lower your bill.

Shade your windows. If you have blinds or shades, keep them closed during the day to reduce how much the sunlight heats your home. Adding curtains can be an inexpensive way to update your décor and keep your space cooler without lowering your A/C. To optimize the effectiveness of your window coverings and identify any potential heat-related issues in your home, you can hire a thermal imaging survey from https://thermal-imaging.uk/. This service can help you make informed decisions to enhance your energy efficiency and comfort.

Switch to LED lights. The next time you (or your landlord) need to replace a light bulb, consider buying LEDs. They use 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. Replacingold incandescent bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs can save you about $70 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

Keep your A/C filters clean. If you’re able to, we recommend changing or cleaning your filter regularly, usually about once a month. We offer more tips on managing your A/C at FPLblog.com/actips.

Remember to turn off your ceiling fan. Fans cool people, not rooms. When you leave a room, turn off the fan to save about $7 a month on your bill.

Consolidate devices using power strips. Certain items in your home, like your TV, computer, cable box or game console, use energy even when switched off. Plug them into a power strip and turn off the entire power strip when not in use, to prevent these “energy phantoms” from increasing your bill.

Use the FPL Mobile App to monitor your energy use. With the projected bill feature, you can view what your bill will be so you can make changes, if needed, to lower it before it arrives. Get it by texting “APP” to MyFPL (69375).

Create your personalized energy-savings plan. Take the free Online Home Energy Survey (FPL.com/OHES) to create a custom plan to make your home more energy efficient and save up to $300.

“At FPL, we’re always working to keep customers’ energy bills low and help them find ways to make their bills even lower,” Spence said. “And, with FPL’s tools and tips, customers can save like an expert all summer long.”

For more tips to beat the heat and lower your bill, visit: FPL.com/BeatTheHeat.