With warm weather headed into Central Florida, some homeowners might be tempted to lower their thermostat.
However, Florida Power and Lighting (FPL) advises that residents keep their thermostat cranked up to a very specific number.
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According to the power company, the best temperature to set your thermostat at is 78° — or the highest temperature where you can still be comfortable in your own home.
On the flip side, FPL suggests bringing the thermostat up to 82° while you’re out and about.
“Each degree you raise your thermostat between 75° – 78° can save you 3-5% on your monthly cooling costs," the company’s website reads. “That’s a lot when cooling makes up approximately 60% of your bill!”
Last year, FPL Lead Energy Solutions Specialist Laura Blair told News 6 that you should also turn off the fan when you leave home.
“The ceiling fan is air blowing across your skin, so it makes you feel better. So if you are not there, turn the fans off. If you are not in the room, turn them off,” she explained. “It is only air blowing across your skin. It will save you about $7 a month if you turn those fans off when you are not at home or you are not in the room.”
Blair also recommended making sure you seal off cracks in your home to keep cool air from escaping or hot air from coming in.
Other FPL tips to make the most out of your power bill are as follows:
- Refresh your air filter: Replace or clean your air filter regularly for cleaner air and a more efficient heating and cooling system. When you get your FPL bill, use it as a reminder to change your filter.
- Use Hot Water Wisely: The second-largest energy user in your home is usually your water heater. Lowering the temperature from 140° to 120° could save 3 - 5% on your energy costs.
- Load smart to wash and dry efficiently
- Washer: Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, choose the cold rinse whenever possible and try to wash full loads. It takes as much energy to wash a single item as it takes to wash a full load.
- Dryer: Use the auto sensor function on your dryer to conserve energy by not over-drying your clothes and clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster.
- Cool coil care for your refrigerator: The refrigerator/freezer is the third largest energy user in your home. Dust and dirt on refrigerator coils make it work harder. Vacuum or brush coils every 6 months to maintain peak efficiency.
- Use precision cooking with small appliances: Consider using a microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, or other small appliance instead of the oven whenever possible. These use about one-third the power of an oven broiler.
- Let the star be your guide: Look for ENERGY STAR-labeled electronics or appliances. Newer ENERGY STAR models meet stricter requirements and use anywhere from 10 to 50 percent less energy each year.
- Unplug energy phantoms
- Many electronics continue to draw power even when they appear to be “off.”These phantom energy users can account for up to 5-10% of monthly residential electricity use.
- Consolidate plugs by using power strips and switching them off when not in use. This will help reduce phantom loads and can help save up to $100 a year.
- Take the “Showerhead Test”: Replace old, high-flow showerheads with water-efficient showerheads and save more than $70 a year. Here’s an easy way to determine if your showerhead is water efficient:
- 1. Get a bucket and a watch/clock that counts seconds.
- 2. Place the bucket underneath the showerhead.
- 3. Turn the shower on all the way using cold water.
- 4. Time how long it takes for one gallon of water to fall into the bucket.
