LCEC offers cool tips for the hot summer
Just because it’s hot, hot, hot outside doesn’t mean your electric bill has to make you feel any hotter.
In fact, simple efforts can leave you feeling like a cool energy saver. LCEC reminds customers to do the following to keep electric costs as low as possible during the sweltering Southwest Florida summer:
– When cooling your home, set the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Each degree below adds 8 percent to 12 percent to the cooling costs.
– While away from home for more than two hours, set the thermostat at 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically raise and lower the temperature at certain times of the day.
– Be sure your thermostat fan switch is set on the “auto” setting. This is more economical for temperature and humidity control.
– Do not close A/C vents or interior doors when A/C is running.
– Service your air conditioning system annually.
– Change or clean filters monthly.
– Keep windows and exterior doors closed when running your air conditioner. Also, use caulk and weather strip around windows and doors.
– Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy, or LED lamps (light emitting diode), which use 85 percent less energy with a life expectancy of 30,000 to 50,000 hours of run time.
– Turn off fans when the room is not occupied. Each continuously running fan costs approximately $7 per month on your electric bill.
– Install reflective window tint/film that will reflect 65 percent or better on windows facing east, west or south. LCEC also recommends installing awnings, storm shutters and planting shade trees.