Record Heat Means Higher Bills
The answer is actually pretty simple – your bill increases when outdoor temperatures rise because you’re consuming more energy due to your A/C running longer to keep your home cool. There is a direct connection between outdoor temperatures and your energy usage.
Your A/C can account for more than half of your monthly energy bill during peak cooling months.
Right now, it’s running twice as long as it does in cooler months to keep your home at the same temperature which can result in higher than normal bills.
Think of it this way – if the outside temperature is 80 degrees and you have your thermostat set to 78 degrees, your A/C has to cool your home just 2 degrees. However, when it’s 90 degrees outside, your A/C has to cool your home 12 degrees, running longer to keep the indoor temperature at 78 degrees.
Tips to help you save
To help you lower your energy costs, we’ve compiled a list of some small changes you can make to start saving.
- Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or warmer with the fan on “auto” and raise the thermostat setting to 82 degrees while you’re away. For every one degree you increase in temperature, you can save about 5% on your monthly cooling costs.
- Turn off fans when you leave a room, and make sure they’re all turned off when leaving your home.
- Close shades, blinds and drapes to keep the sun’s heat out.
- Learn how you can save up to $250 on your energy bill by taking our Online Home Energy Survey and view your personalized Online Energy Dashboard where you can see how the outside temperature and other factors impact your bill by month, day and hour.
- Sign up for FPL Budget Billing® to say goodbye to summer bill fluctuations. While not a savings plan, this program evens out your annual energy costs so you pay approximately the same amount each month.
Just Click to Save
With FPL’s Online Home Energy Survey, you’ll get a personalized savings plan filled with energy-saving tips and recommendations, including programs and rebates that may be available to you.