Likely the coldest temperatures of the winter grips Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia Sunday and Monday

Channel 4 meteorologist Rebecca Barry says Sunday morning's low at Jacksonville International Airport dropped to 24 overnight, breaking the existing record low for the date by 2 degrees.   Winds overnight kept the temperature from dropping even lower, but makes it feel like like it reached the teens.

After a high only in the upper 40s despite a sunny Sunday, Barry says temperatures will drop into the mid 20s again Monday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a lake wind advisory all day. A hard freeze warning will be in effect again Sunday night for Southeast Georgia and portions of Northeast Florida.

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing for several hours in all parts of Channel 4's viewing area, even the beaches.

JustWeather.com: Temperatures | Forecast

"Inland counties will reach the mid-twenties for overnight lows, resulting in hard freeze conditions," said Barry. "Our coastal counties will dip below freezing, but not hard freeze conditions. Light winds overnight will prevent temperatures from dipping below the mid-twenties."

When the cold comes, it's important to remember to protect people, pets, plants and pipes.

Workers at JEA, Jacksonville's utility, offer many suggestions to keep your electric bill down and your family and home safe when the temperatures drop.

You  can save energy by setting your thermostat at 68 degrees – set it even lower at night or when you’re not at home. Heating accounts for up to 50 percent of energy consumption for the typical home.

• You’ll save up to 22 percent on your heating costs compared to a setting of 72 degrees.
  
• Every degree above 68 will add 5 percent to the heating portion of your electric bill.
  
• Make sure you set your thermostat 3 to 5 degrees cooler when you’re not at home.
  
• When you raise your thermostat; one raise it one or two degrees at a time so that the heat strips don’t come on.
  
• Heat pumps have Emergency and/or Auxiliary settings. When your thermostat indicates your heat pump is using Emergency or Auxiliary power, it has turned on electric heat strips within the unit. These strips warm the air inside your home when the heat pump alone can’t. They also use a lot more energy
  
• If you feel a chill, dress in layers
  
• Avoid drafts – check your windows and doors to see if they’re airtight. Use rolled towels or blankets to block gaps under doors or leaks in windows.
• Insulate against heat loss. Insulate and weather-strip your home to prevent heat loss and keep cold air out.
  
• Weather-strip around doors and windows.
  
• Seal cracks or crevices where two different building materials meet.
  
• It's also a good idea to weather-strip between heated and unheated areas such as garages, basements and attic openings.
  

Space heater safety - Space heaters use less electricity than your heat pump, however, only if you turn down the thermostat and only have the space heater on when you are in the room. Space heaters can greatly reduce your heating bill but are dangerous if you do not properly operate and maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so please use due care:

• Never leave a space heater unattended
  
• Never leave a space heater on while sleeping
  
• Never place a space heater close to flammable items
  
• Make sure the space heater has “tip over protection”
  

Air filters – Check and/or change air filters every month. Only use the filter designed for your system. Higher micron filters (thicker) can be seen by your heat pump as a dirty filter, which can increase operating costs.

For more energy-saving tips, visit http://www.jea.com.

Scientists at the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences offers many ideas to protect your plants:

- Plants in containers can be moved into the garage or any other structure where heat can be supplied or trapped.

-In the landscape, low-growing plants may benefit from warmth held in the soil, and mulch helps to keep the heat in.

-Fabric covers, like cloth sheets or quilts, can also trap ground heat, as long as they extend to the ground and are anchored to prevent them from blowing off in high winds.
-A lamp or other heat source which is safe and appropriate for outdoors can provide added warmth under the cover.
-Remember to remove covers early in the day once the danger of frost has passed.
For more information about this and many other gardening topics, contact your county extension office or visit www.gardeninginaminute.com.