Tips to Stay Cool during the Summer Heat

By Rolando Marrero, Florida Power & Light

        With the record hot temperatures across Florida, many are looking for ways to stay cool and beat the heat, while keeping energy bills as low as possible.

At home, this can mean taking steps to ensure your A/C is running efficiently since it’s the largest driver of your energy bill. Other ways to save include washing clothes with cold water or using smaller countertop kitchen appliances to avoid turning on your oven, which emits extra heat into the surrounding areas of your home and causes your A/C to work harder.

Learn more about ways to save up to $30 a month toward your monthly energy bill this summer:

1. Your A/C’s Sweet Spot: Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature between 75 and 78 degrees, and remember that for every degree above 75, you can save 3-5% on your monthly cooling costs.
2. Keep the Sun Out: About 30% of unwanted heat in your home comes from your windows. Keep your blinds and/or curtains closed to prevent the sun’s heat from heating your home even more.
3. Cooling People, Not Rooms: “Use ceiling fans to help keep yourself cool. They can make the room feel 3-4 degrees cooler but don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not rooms. Turning off the fans when you’re not in the room can save up to $7 per fan per month.
4. Unplug when Away: If you aren’t actively using any of the smaller appliances throughout your home – i.e., air fryers, gaming consoles, or standing fans – unplug them. Household devices that remain plugged in even if shut off still use energy and account for up to 5-10% of the home’s energy usage.
5. Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances: Your stove/oven and the dryer generate heat that can warm your home and make your A/C work harder. Try to use these appliances less during peak hours, or the time of day when the sun burns the brightest. And, if possible, use outdoor grills or microwaves instead of the oven to avoid extra heat inside the home
6. Making a Splash: If you have a pool, reduce your pool pump’s operating hours to six a day. This ensures you keep your pool clean and can help you save up to $100 per year.

Don’t know how your home consumes energy? Use the free online all-in-one Energy Manager to learn the ins and outs of your home’s energy use and get personalized tips.

Also, consider scheduling a free at home energy audit with an FPL Energy Expert to learn even more personalized tips to save energy and money all season long, based on your current habits.

To learn more ways to save, as well as all the resources and tools available, visit FPL.com/WaystoSave.