The Department of Energy designates every October as National Energy Awareness Month, to show the importance of responsible energy consumption. While technologies have changed and evolved since the early 1990s, energy efficiency has remained a consistent way for households to save on their utility bills. In the spirit of Energy Awareness Month, here are 5 tips you can use to identify and reduce your own household energy use:

1. Look at tools, programs, and resources available through utility providers.

Many electric providers in the state of Florida offer financial assistance, budgeting, or energy monitoring programs. Looking for energy monitoring programs is a good first step, as these will help you to identify the cause of high utility bills. Florida Power & Light, for example, offers the “Energy Dashboard” and “Energy Analyzer” tools to help visualize a household’s electricity use during a specific timeframe or if any appliance in your home is using an abnormal amount of energy.

Budget billing allows for more predictable electric bills by evening out energy costs over the entire year, so residents pay about the same amount each month. Budget billing can be especially helpful for combating seasonal bill spikes caused by hot or cold weather and makes it easier to manage monthly expenses.

There are a few other programs which, if you qualify, might be able to help with financial assistance. Check out our energy and water saving factsheet and Energy Upgrade website for details on some of these other programs.

2. Your HVAC system can be your best (and most expensive) friend.

   

Homes in Florida rely on HVAC systems for more than just cooling their rooms. Your HVAC system also removes humidity and circulates warm air out of your home. These benefits come at a price – about 40% of your average household energy bill can be attributed to these machines. Neglecting your HVAC system can lead to higher levels of energy use and even system failures, if not maintained properly. Follow these simple steps to ensure your HVAC system is working at its best and most efficient:

• Change your air filter monthly or, if you have a reusable air filter, wash it monthly.
• Close windows/blinds/curtains during summer days and winter nights, to avoid excess heat and drafts respectively.
• Move all furniture out of the way of your air vents, to ensure proper airflow and circulation.
• Trim plants and trees away from your A/C condenser, if it’s located outside, to protect the system from any damage or interference.

3. Changing out inefficient lighting can have multiple benefits.

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to improve your home’s efficiency is through replacing incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs with LEDs. LED bulbs use less electricity than other bulbs, create less heat while in use, and don’t contain the heavy metals found in fluorescent bulbs. According to ENERGY STAR, LED light bulbs have a lifespan of 20-25x that of a traditional, incandescent bulb.

The upfront cost-savings of these more advanced LED bulbs are compounded by an indirect benefit – the production of less heat while in use. The Department of Energy estimates that for every $1 saved in lighting-related electricity costs, an additional $0.30 in A/C costs is saved.

Along with these benefits, LED bulbs are now more accessible than ever. LEDs of different colors, shapes, sizes, and brightness can be found at affordable prices at most stores. Who knew there could be such variety in using less electricity!

4. Energy vampires: high-cost monsters that lurk in the dark

As utility costs get higher, nothing is scarier than finding out you’ve been needlessly wasting electricity at home. The term “energy vampire” refers to any electronic or appliance which uses energy even when it is turned off. These energy-suckers can be spotted by looking for standby lights and any noise or warmth coming from electronics that were seemingly turned off.

The electricity used to power these devices after they’ve been turned off is referred to as a “vampire load”. According to the Department of Energy, vampire loads represent up to 75% of the energy used to power the average home’s electronics. This means your electronics are using the most power when you aren’t even using them! Catching these extorters of energy can make a huge difference on your bills, at-home comfort, and the environment.

5. Take advantage of Sarasota County’s Energy Upgrade program!

Our Energy Upgrade program has been saving local residents thousands of dollars off their energy bills since it first started in 2012. We offer a variety of resources and services to help families save on their utility bills, and here are a few ways you can get involved today:

• See how you can save money on your energy and water bills by checking out our Energy and Water Savings Factsheet and the Energy Upgrade webpage!
• Visit our Eventbrite regularly to register for upcoming workshops and classes!
• Sign up for a free, at-home consultation to identify where you can save money on your utility bills!

If you have any additional questions about Sarasota County’s Energy Upgrade program or are interested in how we can help you, contact us at sustainablesarasota@scgov.net or 941-861-9829.

3