It’s no secret to you that Florida has among the highest energy costs in the nation. Unfortunately, according to CBS News, those costs are likely to rise even more in 2023. The average electric bill in Florida is expected to increase anywhere from $5 to over $20 per month, depending on your provider. Saving energy at home is more important now than ever.
It can be overwhelming to decide which tips are worthwhile. The recommendations below can make a significant difference, and the good news is the more of these you do, the more you can save. Every little bit helps!
No-Cost Home Energy Saving Tips
Many worthwhile, easy energy-saving tips won’t cost you a dime. Consider trying a few of these ideas in your home:
- Wash your laundry in cold water. Most energy costs related to washing clothes come from heating the water. A load of laundry costs around $0.48 per load when washing with hot water versus $0.04 when using cold water. It might not seem like a lot, but if you do a load of laundry most days, you can save $250 or more per year
- Consider line-drying your clothes. Hanging clothing to dry can save $100 per year or more, depending on how much laundry you do and how efficient your dryer is.
- Don’t cool or heat unused areas. If you have a spare bedroom, rarely used rec room, or other areas of your home that you don’t spend time in, it doesn’t make sense to spend money cooling or heating it. Close the vents to those areas to save on your energy bills.
- Turn down your water heater. Often, setting your water heater at 120 degrees is plenty hot enough for bathing, laundry, and other household tasks. EnergyStar notes that having the thermostat on the water heater set too high wastes as much as $400 per year or more.
- Keep vents clean. The vents that carry cooled or heated air into each room can become blocked with dust over time, which makes your HVAC system work harder—costing more money. Dust or vacuum them out regularly to keep them clear.
- Unplug electronics and appliances when they’re not in use. Standby power still costs you money, and it adds up over time.
Related Content: Why Simple HVAC Maintenance is Beneficial for Your Home
Low-Cost Home Energy-Saving Ideas
There are also several low-cost ideas for homeowners wondering how to save on energy bills. All that’s required for these tips is a small investment of time and money. Your wallet will thank you!
- Wrap your water heater. Water heater blankets are inexpensive and take just a few minutes to install. They insulate your heater, preventing energy loss.
- Seal air leaks around the house. Caulk and insulation can go a long way toward saving on your energy costs. Air leaks around windows, electrical outlets, doors, and other areas let cooled or heated air escape your home, which is like throwing money out the window. Go around your house and seal up any leaks.
- Add energy-saving window treatments. Light-blocking drapes or curtains can keep your rooms cooler during the heat of the day and can keep heat inside when it’s cold outside.
- Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable AC thermostat makes it easy to not only set the desired temperature in your home, but you can also schedule when your AC turns on and off, which will save you money by only cooling your home when you need it.
Energy-Saving Home Improvements
If you have an older air conditioning or heating system, upgrading them will save you money in the long run since modern systems are more efficient. Other upgrades, such as a new water heater and new appliances, can also have a significant impact on your monthly energy bills.
If you need help with these upgrades or anything else, give the professionals at United States Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We’ve been providing outstanding service to Orlando and central Florida for over 20 years, and our work is 100% guaranteed. Schedule service online or call (407) 337-7925 to get started.