How to spot summer energy-wasters
You might not realize that hidden energy-wasters could be driving up your electric bill. But, with a little knowledge, you can easily prevent these types of problems, saving energy and money. As temperatures begin to rise, look for the following common causes of high summer electric bills, then try West Florida Electric Cooperative's recommended remedies:
Your air conditioner thermostat's "fan" setting is selected. Instead, you should always set it on "auto." When set to cool on "fan," the blower pushes air through the ductwork continuously while the compressor cycles on and off. Moisture removed from the air while the compressor runs is reintroduced to the house when the fan alone runs between compressor cycles. If your ducts are leaky, the "fan" setting is especially costly. Setting the thermostat to cool on "auto" lowers humidity and costs and raises the comfort level.
Your air conditioner's thermostat is set too low. Your air conditioner runs no faster at a lower setting, it only runs longer. The recommended summer setting is 78 degrees, or two to five degrees higher when you're away during the day. Recent research in Florida reveals that home cooling costs increase 12 percent for each degree setting below 78 degrees. Your cooling costs can almost double if you set the thermostat at 70 instead of 78 degrees.
When going out of town for several days, set your thermostat up to 83 or 84 degrees. The system will run once in a while, preventing indoor humidity from getting too high.
Your swimming pool pump runs 24 hours a day. The National Spa and Pool Institute recommends that the pool be "turned over" - that the water go through one complete circulation - once a day. Full turnover of a typical 20,000-gallon pool requires four hours pumping at 85 gallons per minute, six hours at 55 gallons per minute or eight hours at 40 gallons per minute. Most pool pump systems are sized to accomplish a full turnover in four to six hours. Install a timer.
Humid outdoor air is leaking into your house through cracks around doors and windows, electrical outlets, ducts, vents or fireplace dampers that don't seal tightly. In Florida homes, about 38 percent of the air conditioner's work and operating costs goes toward drying out this moist air leaking in from outdoors. Leaks in the ducts that supply cooled air to rooms will make this situation worse because the overall house air pressure becomes lower than the outdoor air pressure whenever the air conditioner is running. Under these circumstances, the house sucks in warm, moist air, so the air conditioner runs longer to compensate, which cause the house to draw in more warm air, which needs to be cooled, and so forth. Seal the cracks and stop the leaks
Your ceiling lacks adequate insulation. Heat from the attic conducts through to the house below. Improving ceiling insulation is one of the best investments you can make toward lowering your air conditioning costs in summer. If you're not sure what level of insulation you have in your attic, a WFEC energy expert can check it for you. The older your home, the less likely its original level of insulation would now be considered sufficient.
You leave your waterbed unmade. If left uncovered, the cost of heating a waterbed can double. Also, a smaller waterbed costs less to heat then a larger one; the cost of heating a queen size bed is about 22 percent less than for a king size. But whatever the size, the bed will hold its heat if made up each day with heavy covers. It helps, as well, to insulate the bed's edges and bottom with polyethylene or polystyrene foam or even layers of corrugated cardboard.
Your water heater's thermostat is set too high. Each 10 degree reduction cuts water heating energy consumption 13 percent.
Your home lacks shade. Shade trees, especially on the east or west sides, can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 30 percent - even more for a mobile home.
Source: The Florida Public Service Commission
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