Summer is here and Floridians are already feeling the heat. Did you know weather is the number one driver of higher electric bills?
The main culprit? Yep, you guessed it — rising outdoor temperatures lead to more A/C use, which can account for half or more of your monthly energy costs.
So, with the spring tune-ups now behind us, it’s time to start thinking about ways to beat the heat by turning those savings into a summer energy win.
But where to start? Should you completely shut off your A/C when you aren’t home? Close the vents in rooms you don’t use? There are a lot of summer energy strategies out there that claim to help you save on your bill. Luckily, we are here to help you figure out if they’re the real deal, or not. We’re busting seven of the most common summer energy myths to help you cool those rising electricity costs.
MYTH 1: A/C is your only option. (Bust It)
FACT: There are many ways to beat the heat this summer!
As outdoor temperatures increase, those thermostat temperatures tend to go way down — but this shouldn’t be your only way to stay cool this summer. Better understand your energy use with Energy Checkup, and learn the signs for when your A/C unit is no longer running efficiently and needs some TLC. You can also find tips on how to keep your unit running more efficiently, such as changing the air filter each month.
MYTH 2: Keep fans running all day instead of your A/C unit. (Bust It)
FACT: Fans cool you, not the room.
Don’t get it twisted: Fans are generally less expensive to run than A/C units, especially if you’re running them at the same time. Why? Because they push cooler air down, causing a breeze that cools the body and temporarily cools the room. This means if you turn on a ceiling fan, you can raise the thermostat on your A/C unit a few degrees without lessening the cooling effect, saving you on cooling costs.
However, fans are meant to cool people, not rooms. Keeping a fan running all day instead of your A/C unit doesn’t do much to cool the entire room. Instead, it recirculates existing air in the room at a higher speed, so, if you’re not in the room to reap the benefits, this strategy is a bit of hot air.
Moral of the story: Treat ceiling fans as you would lights. Turn them off before you leave a room.
MYTH 3: Closing vents in rooms you don’t use helps the A/C be more efficient. (Bust It)
FACT: Go with the (air) flow or it’ll cost you.
If your home has a spare room or two, you may be tempted to close the A/C vents, shut the door, and forget about it. The thought process is you’re redirecting flow to the rest of the house, therefore cooling it faster and keeping electricity costs lower.
In reality, your A/C is still spending energy trying to cool that part of your house. This is because most A/C units operate as central air systems that distribute air throughout the entire home.
Maintain proper airflow by keeping interior doors and vents open to help air circulate.
MYTH 4: Bigger is better ... when it comes to AC units. (Bust It)
FACT: Size matters, but not the way you think.
An A/C unit that’s too small will have to work too hard to cool your home, while one that’s too big will create extra humidity and may not cool evenly.
Think Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A/C edition. You have to find the unit that is just right for your home’s size.
Check out how you can qualify for an FPL rebate by working with a Participating Independent Contractor (PIC).
MYTH 5: Turning off the A/C when you leave is more energy efficient. (Bust It)
FACT: Your A/C works hard. Don’t make it work harder.
The frugal economist in you may want to turn off your thermostat before you leave, just like you turn off the lights in a room you’re no longer using. The truth is, this actually makes your A/C system work harder to cool off your home once you’re back, as temperatures have probably risen a couple of degrees — especially during the good old Florida summer.
Instead, adjust the temperature gradually by turning it up a few degrees higher before you leave the house. We recommend the sweet spot of 78 degrees or above. This way, you’re preventing your home from getting too hot and having to make up for it later.
MYTH 6: Windows and doors don’t really impact energy loss. (Bust It)
FACT: Windows and doors hold the keys to summer energy savings.
Did you know heat gain through windows is responsible for 25% to 30% of cooling energy use in your home? On top of that, the air that stays behind a closed door of a room always finds a way to escape, and that’s cold air and electricity wasted.
Shut out high energy costs by closing windows, and welcome cooler air by opening internal doors. Make sure your windows are sealed, insulated, and have heat-resistant glass, and use shades to keep sunlight out. As for your doors, maintain proper airflow by keeping them open to help cool your home faster.
MYTH 7: Ceiling insulation doesn’t help keep your house cool. (Bust It)
FACT: Insulate yourself from energy loss – ceiling insulation is probably the largest appliance in your home, so make sure it's properly maintained!
The roof is the largest surface area of the house and exposed to the sun for the longest time. That makes it one of the biggest culprits for heating our home in the summer. In fact, the majority of heat that impacts our comfort and cooling costs typically infiltrates through our roof/ceiling.
So how can you check if your insulation is up to par? Energy Star offers a few methods for DIY checks and inspections that can help guide you. Once determined your home needs ceiling insulation and/or upgrades, you can contact a Participating Independent Contractor (PIC) directly within your area. FPL also offers homeowners a $95-$220 rebate towards the cost for qualifying homes if ceiling insulation upgrades are needed through its residential Ceiling Insulation Program.
For more tips on ways to save on your energy bill for home or business, read more.