JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With heat index values forecast to reach as high as 113 degrees today, JEA is urging customers to conserve energy and water and offering tips and programs to help lower summer bills.
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Air conditioning
- Set thermostats at 78 to 80 degrees, and set them higher when you’re not home. A five-degree shift can save about 6 to 8 percent per degree in the summer.
- Use insulated drapes, blinds or shades and keep them closed during the hottest part of the day. Efficient window shading can save up to 12 percent on the cooling portion of a utility bill.
- Seal leaks in cooling ducts, including around the air handler.
- Weather-strip doors and windows and repair or replace broken or cracked windows. Weather stripping can save up to 8 percent on cooling costs.
- Install a programmable thermostat. It can save 5 to 15 percent on the cooling portion of a utility bill.
Small changes that make a big impact
- Avoid going in and out of the home repeatedly to keep cool air in and hot air out.
- Run the washer with full loads and use cold water.
- Use small appliances — grill outside or use a microwave, Crock-Pot or Instant Pot — instead of the stove or oven to keep the kitchen cooler and use less energy.
Water conservation
- Fix running toilets; leaks are the leading cause of higher water consumption.
- Inspect sprinkler heads; a broken head can waste about 25,000 gallons in six months.
- Aim sprinkler spray at yards, not sidewalks.
Assessments and help
JEA offers free in-home energy and irrigation assessments. Energy auditors do walk-through inspections to identify behavioral changes or equipment upgrades that can reduce energy and water use.
To schedule a free energy or irrigation assessment, call 904-665-6000. For more tips, visit jea.com/save.
Billing and payment options
JEA also offers billing and payment options for residential and business customers, including:
- MyBudget, a levelized billing program that averages past usage so monthly bills are more consistent.
- Daily usage monitoring through accounts on jea.com or the My JEA app.
- Payment assistance, extensions and referrals to third-party groups that offer utility bill help. See jea.com/assistance for details.