FPL Shares Summer Energy-Saving Tips
By Shelia Mader
As summer temperatures soar across the Sunshine State, Florida Power & Light is urging customers to take small but impactful steps to reduce their energy bills, especially when it comes to one of Florida’s most essential comforts: air conditioning.
Francine Freitas with Florida Power & Light (FPL) sat down to share advice that can help households lower their energy consumption during the hottest time of year.
As any Floridian knows, air conditioning is a way of life in Florida, especially during the summer. Freitas said, “With cooling costs making up about 60% of your total electric bill during these months, being mindful of how you use it can really make a difference.”
According to Freitas, one of the most effective ways to cut down on energy usage is thermostat control. FPL recommends setting your thermostat to between 80 and 82 degrees when you're away and between 75 and 78 degrees when you're at home. Each degree above 75 can result in 3% to 5% in cooling cost savings, she explained.
Freitas also stressed the importance of air conditioner maintenance, including annual servicing, and regular filter cleaning or replacement. “Some filters are even washable, so you don’t have to buy new ones, just keep them clean. Making sure your unit is running efficiently can have a big impact.”
In addition to AC use, ceiling fans can play a key role in comfort. “They make you feel about three degrees cooler,” said Freitas. “Just make sure they’re set to spin counterclockwise and always turn them off when you leave the room. They cool people, not rooms.” This habit alone, she added, can save customers up to $87 a year.
Addressing a common debate about whether to leave your AC at one temperature all day or raise it while you’re gone, Freitas cleared up the confusion, “We never recommend turning your AC off completely. But turning it up while you’re away helps. The trick is not to crank it back down all at once when you get home.” Instead, she advises using programmable thermostats to adjust temperatures gradually, two degrees at a time, so your unit doesn’t have to work overtime.
Beyond cooling, other major contributors to your energy bill include water heaters, extra refrigerators and electronics. Water heaters, the second-largest energy user in most homes, are often preset to 140 degrees. “That’s hotter than you need,” said Freitas. “Setting it to 120 degrees is plenty for household needs and saves about 3% to 5% on heating costs.”
As for that old freezer in the garage or unused fridge on the porch, Freitas advises unplugging it. “Those can cost between $90 to $140 a year, especially if they’re older and exposed to high temps. If you’re not using them, just unplug them.”
Then there’s the often-overlooked "phantom load" from devices in standby or energy-saver modes, which still draw electricity around the clock. “Even if the light’s off, if it’s plugged in, it’s pulling power,” Freitas said. This includes everything from gaming consoles to coffee makers. Left unchecked, this kind of passive energy draw can add up to $100 or more per year per device.
To combat this, Freitas recommends the use of smart power strips, especially in the kitchen where small appliances with digital clocks and standby lights are common. “With one flip of the switch, you can cut the power to several appliances at once without needing to unplug them individually.”
Finally, Freitas encouraged customers to take advantage of FPL’s Energy Manager, a tool available to customers that provides a detailed look at a home’s energy use. “It breaks down how your home is consuming power and offers personalized tips based on your actual usage,” she said. “We’ve had customers discover that their ‘always-on’ usage was one of the biggest contributors to their bill.”
With temperatures rising and bills following suit, Freitas hopes that these straightforward strategies can help Floridians stay cool and save money this summer.