Save Money on Your Utility
With money being tight, most of us are looking for ways to stretch our dollars. Becoming more energy efficient in the home is one way to save money, so I thought I would share some helpful hints on how to cut costs on your utility bill.Air conditioning our home is responsible for 44% of the electric bill. My first recommendation is to set the thermostat no lower than 78 and bumping it up to about 82 when not at home.This can save you money on your utility bill. To compliment turning up the temperature, wear clothing that is cooler around the house while maintaining comfort.
Run ceiling fans only when you are occupying the room and turn them off when leaving the room. Ceiling fans do not cool a room. They simply help circulate the air. Therefore, you are wasting money by running fans in the rooms that are not in use.
Though it may seem like a great idea, it is not advisable to open up your windows for too long in Florida. Because of the humidity, opening windows allow excess moisture into the home, which will contribute to a mold/mildew outbreak in your home. Your air conditioner will have to work overtime to remove the moisture, thus causing your electric bill to go up.
Other sources that contribute to the lack of energy efficiency are the products we use. For example, incandescent light bulbs are the least efficient type of bulb. Ninety percent of the energy used by these bulbs becomes heat not light. In contrast, a fluorescent bulb’s energy is mostly light and can be four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
Air leaks are another cause of wasted energy causing homes to be too dry in the winter and too humid in the summer. Once air leaks are located, they need to be sealed. There are a variety of grouts and sealants used to plug the gaps which can be found at your local hardware store. Another tip is to make sure you home is properly insulated. Knowing where to insulate and what type of insulation to use is important to make the home more energy efficient.
Unplug unused appliances. Leaving things plugged into the wall does use up some energy which literally tosses money down the drain.
Laura Royer is the Finance & Housing
Agent for the UF/IFAS Osceola County