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PrintMore Bang for Your Buck: Summer Electricity
When it's humid outside, all you want to do is cool off inside. But if you get overheated just thinking about all the money you're spending, you're not alone. In tonight's more Bang For Your Buck, we found there are ways to avoid sweating it out when it comes to paying your electric bill.
Summer in South Florida -- it's a scorcher -- and as the heat rises so does your electric bill. Just ask new mom, Stephanie Vainder.
Stephaine Vainder: "Our bill just in the last month alone has increased because I've been using the air conditioning a lot more. I think our bill in the summertime almost increases 50 percent."
But there are ways you can save money -- starting with a simple step -- when you're not home turn off the ceiling fan.
Jeff Fetzer from Florida Power & Light: "A fan like this on low will use about 7 dollars per month if it were on all the time."
And when it comes to keeping cool, remember to set the air conditioner to 78 degrees when you're home and 82 degrees when you leave.
Jeff Fetzer: "If you would to run to at 75 opposed to 78, you're going to pay about 20 percent more for those 3 degrees. That's why we recommend keeping it up a little bit. That's the most economical setting."
Another way to save - change your filter once a month -- if it's clean your air conditioning unit will work more efficiently.
Jeff Fetzer: "When you get your FPL bill that's a great time to change your filter."
Water heaters are 14 percent of a homeowner's electric bill. So make sure your water temperature does not exceed 120 degrees.
Jeff Fetzer: "The water here is set at a 103 degrees, so it's not set real real hot which is good."
It's also good to conserve when using dishwashers and washing machines -- only run them when you have a full load. Did you know you could save an extra 70 dollars a year, by not pre-rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher? And always clean the lint filter in your dryer.
Jeff Fetzer: "It makes a difference. They dry a lot easier and a lot quicker. It's better for your dryer and saving money on your electric bill."
Stephanie is ready to see a difference in her bill. Each dollar she's saves will let her spend a little more on baby Ryan.
Stephaine Vainder: "I've never thought how much extra money I'm paying a month if my fan's on. I'm excited to see what our bill will be next month because I'm really going to make a conscious effort."
Now, if you'd like to know additional ways you can save, FPL is offering free home energy surveys. All you have to do is call and make an appointment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: lgarrigan@wsvn.com
Florida Power & Light
1 800-DIAL-FPL
1 800-342-5375
www.fpl.com