Information on energy costs as summer temperatures rise
Customers looking for ways to hold the line on energy costs as summer temperatures rise
North Fort Myers, Fla., July 27, 2009
Some customers may notice their bills are a bit higher this time of year. Energy costs often go up during the summer months in particular, because in more extreme temperatures, home cooling systems must work that much harder (using more energy) to maintain temperatures. Home cooling costs can account for around 50 percent of the residential electric bill. In fact, air conditioning is often the average household’s largest annual power cost.
The monthly bill reflects the customers’ energy usage during the previous month. Most recently, these billing dates are from the beginning of summer, when temperatures started to climb. The average daily kilowatt usage is noted on the bill to assist LCEC customers in tracking their usage and comparing it to previous months. As a customer’s kWh usage increases, bills will also increase. LCEC meters are read electronically with a very high percentage of accuracy.
Although a customer’s energy use habits may have been consistent, there are several things that may lead to increased kWh usage. Here are some of the top things to consider when looking for ways to cut back energy usage during the summer months (or really anytime in Florida!):
1. If you have summer visitors or the kids are out of school and home during the day, this will cause increased usage.
2. Extreme temperatures outside will cause your A/C to work harder to cool the inside of your home. Keeping your thermostat set at no lower than 78 degrees while you are home can help. Every degree below 78 raises your cooling costs (which contribute significantly to your bill) 8 percent.
3. Turning your A/C off while you are not home causes your A/C to work harder to cool the home when you turn it back on. Setting your thermostat higher when you are gone is a better way to save. Investing in a programmable thermostat is even better.
4. Close drapes or blinds during the day to keep the sun from heating your home and causing your A/C to work overtime.
5. Have your A/C tuned up annually if you don’t already. Be sure to clean filters monthly!
6. If ceiling fans are running when you are not in the room, this increases your electric bill but does not contribute to cooling the house. The air from the fan only helps to cool your skin when you are in the room.
7. An extra refrigerator or freezer in the garage will work overtime to stay cold during warmer temperatures. If you don’t need it, unplug it!
8. When the oven is on, it is adding heat into the air. Instead of cooking on the oven or stove top, use a microwave whenever possible, which is much more energy-efficient. Toaster ovens also use less energy.
9. Traditional incandescent bulbs work by heating a metal filament to the point where it emits light. The more incandescent bulbs you have on in your home, the more heat produced, which your A/C will have to remove from your home in order to maintain the temperature. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are a cooler option.
10. Every time you open a door or window in your home while the air conditioner is on, the cooler inside air escapes outside and warm air rushes in. Your A/C has to work that much harder to cool your home. Weather-striping windows and doors and adding insulation to the attic can also help maintain the temperature of your home and save your A/C the extra work.
These are just a few tips. You can also visit www.lcec.net for additional energy saving ideas. There is an informational video regarding energy conservation at our online Learning Center and detailed energy tips on our Green page. You can also utilize LCEC online tools such as Billing Insights to show exactly where your energy dollar is going.
Source: LCEC