JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The average energy bill for someone living in Florida runs anywhere between $150 and $250 a month, according to the U.S Energy Information Administration.
Even a little bit of savings off that high number can be a relief to many, and there are some simple things you can do right now that can easily make a difference.
Andrew Beaulieu with Swift Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Air showed News4JAX several spots around a house where money could be slipping out of your bank account.
If you feel a draft, whether it’s from a chimney, doorway or window, seal it up! Gaps like these make your system overwork and could be costing you an extra $20-$40 a month.
“If you are trying to heat your house, all the heat is going to go straight out of [the vent],” Beaulieu said. “It’s going to act as a vacuum and suck that heat straight out.”
When it comes to ceiling fans, it’s all about the flip of a switch.
Every fan has an option to spin clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the season and whether you want a room cooler or warmer.
“[That change] pushes cool air up, which pushes hot air down,” Beaulieu said. “It warms you and your home a little more efficiently.”
That switch is usually near the shade that protects the lightbulb or on the main casing that holds the fan blades (NOTE: You might need a ladder to reach it.)
Beaulieu says that one flick can save you at least $100 in a year.
Now... the ever-present thermostat debate!
Setting comfort aside, when it comes to your energy bill, it’s best to keep the temp between 68 and 70 degrees.
“The harder your system works, the more money you are going to spend,” he said. “You may be a little bit colder. I say put a sweatshirt on, add an extra layer of blankets to your bed.”
That temperature range can add up to about $40 to $50 in savings on the energy bill.
Of course, there can be exceptions, especially during those overnight freezes -- but the key in those cases is gradual changes. You don’t want to trigger your emergency heating, so move the temp up just one degree at a time.
Also, change the air filters on the heating and cooling system every month, if possible. Yes, many of them are labeled to be changed every 90 days, but Beaulieu says changing them every 30 days helps sustain the efficiency and lifespan of the HVAC system, which is usually around 10 years.
He compares doing this regular maintenance to getting oil changes on a car consistently.
The cost of filters varies by size and strength, but you can save between $30-$40 a month by keeping your system running smoothly.
“You can be spending upwards of $7,000 on a new system,” Beaulieu said. “It does not give you any warning when it is about to go down. You can wake up and either be freezing or burning up, and you know it is time to replace your system.”
Fred Thompson, president and owner of Thompson Electric and Air, has been in the business since 1989 and shared two more things people should do to save money.
Check the ductwork at your house, making sure there is proper insulation both in the attic and the underside of your house.
“You are talking 20% to 30%, which is $20, $30, maybe even $40 a month that you are just kind of giving away just to heat the attic or underside of your house,” Thompson said.
And this one might surprise you: Thompson says you shouldn’t shut off the heat or air conditioning completely when you’re not home because you’re actually not saving energy that way.
He offered a different suggestion.
“When you leave the house, just raise the temperature up (or) just lower the heat down on your thermostat,” Thompson said. “So, if you are leaving, lower it down to 62 degrees. That way, when you come home, and you raise it back up to 68, it does not take that long, and you are not reheating the entire house” (which takes a lot more energy).