Energy Saving Tips for Florida

Energy saving tips for Florida 

Energy saving tips for Florida are different from most other states due to our heat, tropical storms, and subtropical weather. Are your energy bills too high? You’re not alone. In fact, many Florida homeowners find themselves in this situation. That’s why we’ve put together some simple tips for saving energy that you can start to implement today.

Use your ceiling fans

As turning off you’re A/C and relying on ceiling fans is not an option for most of us, you can use ceiling fans together with your air conditioner to increase home comfort without increasing energy usage. In the summer, raise the temperature on your thermostat and make sure your ceiling fans are running counter-clockwise to increase home comfort levels. In winter, lower your thermostat and run your ceiling fans clockwise. Just don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the room.

Check your refrigerator

Make sure that the seals on the refrigerator doors are working properly. If the seal is worn, it can let out the cool air, which wastes energy. Homeowners should also avoid using multiple refrigerators if possible. If you have a second refrigerator that you do not use often, empty it, unplug it, and contract your local utility company for information on how to recycle your extra refrigerator.

Only run your dishwasher when it’s full

It can be tempting to run a small load of dishes when you’re on your way out or plan on having company over. However, you should only run your dishwasher when it is full to avoid energy waste. If high humidity isn’t an issue in your home, you can also open your dishwasher to let your dishes air dry instead of using the heated dry option on your dishwasher.

Cook more efficiently

Cooking is another activity that takes up a lot of energy. To reduce the time that your oven or stove top is being used, try these simple ways to cook smarter:

• Use the microwave when possible as microwave ovens consume about 80% less energy than conventional ovens.
• Make sure that you are placing pans on the matching size heating element to reduce heat loss.
• Use lids on pots and pans whenever possible to reduce cook times.
• When using the conventional oven, place items on the top rack to reduce total cook times.

Change the way that you wash your clothing

One way to save energy when washing your clothes is to wait until you have a full load before running the washing machine. Even the medium setting on your machine can waste energy. In fact, the medium setting saves less than half of the water and energy that is used for a full load. Now you have an excuse to put off doing your laundry!

Reduce the time your clothing is in the dryer

Running your clothes dryer also uses a significant amount of energy. One easy way that you can make sure that your machine is drying your clothing efficiently is to clean the lint trap before each load you place in the dryer. Clogged lint traps can restrict airflow, which prolongs the drying time. Another simple way to reduce drying times is to spin dry or wring out clothes before you place them in the dryer. The less time your clothes spend in the dryer, the more energy you can save.

Limit the time that you use your pool pump

If you have a pool then you know that using the pool pump can use quite a bit of energy. One easy way to cut back is to limit the time you use your pool pump for the typical homeowner can save by only turning the pump on for six hours a day in the summertime and four hours a day in the winter.

Collect rainwater in a rainwater tank

Collecting rainwater for your garden is a smart idea. Plants like rainwater, because it’s naturally soft, and free of chlorine and other chemicals. If drought is a problem where you live, collecting rainwater is a good way to deal with watering restrictions. If you’re on a municipal water system, you stand to save a considerable amount of money. You may also find that having a rainwater barrel is a handy alternative to the garden hose.