Ways To Stay Cool In The Summer Without Breaking The Bank

It's been a hot summer and there's a good chance your electric bills have been increasing. But FPL spokeswoman Francine Freitas says the easiest way to keep those costs down is to control your thermostat.

"The AC is gonna be the number 1 driver of higher than expected energy bills during the summer and that's because your AC unit's gonna have to work for longer in order to keep your home at (comfortable) temperatures throughout the year."

She suggests setting your thermostat at the highest temperature possible, while still remaining comfortable. Freitas recommends a range from 74 to 78 degrees and says that every degree you raise it above 75 can save you 3 to 5 percent on your monthly energy costs.

Freitas adds that you don't need to keep an empty home cool.

"If you're not going to be home, set your thermostat to around 80 to 82 degrees. You're not going to be home, you're not going to need that AC."

Other tips include closing your blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep the sunlight from heating up your home, and using the air fryer instead of the oven whenever possible. It's a smaller utility so it warms up the house to a far lesser degree.

Another way to bring down costs is to adjust your water heater.

"And most water heaters come preset at 140 degrees. The truth is for stuff you need around the house, shower, dishwasher, you don't need that 140 degrees temperature. You can set it around 120 (degrees) and have plenty of hot water for all your needs."

She says that every 10 degrees you turn the water heater temperature down amounts to a 3 to 5 percent energy savings. If you leave town, turn that water heater off altogether.

Freitas also suggests washing clothes on the cold cycle.

She invites you to check out the FPL Energy Manager, an all-in-one free tool that teaches customers about their home’s energy usage and provides personalized tips to save towards their monthly bill.

And FPL’s House of Savings Challenge offers customers a chance to learn more easy ways you can save and be entered for a chance to win an energy efficient prize pack.

More tips at http://fpl.com/waystosave .