The dog days of summer mean higher temperatures and rising energy costs. If you are in Coral Gables luxury homes, Palm Beach Gardens luxury homes, or any other town in the Sunshine State, you know your energy bill can skyrocket during these extra hot days.
Learn how you can save on energy costs while still remaining relatively cool in Florida this summer.
Be Thermostat Smart
If the health conditions of everyone in the house permit, raise your thermostat. You want to find the highest thermostat setting where everyone still feels comfortable in the house.
If you can minimize the difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature in your house, you will pay less for your monthly cooling bill. According to energy experts, home owners can save as much as three to five percent on cooling costs for each degree you raise your thermostat up.
Be sure to raise the thermostat up when you are away from home. Some people have been told that it costs just as much or more to “re-cool” a house upon your return, but that is not true.
Also keep in mind when returning to a warm home, set the thermostat to the actual temperature you want it to remain at. Do not set it cooler. Setting the thermostat to a colder temperature will not make your home cool down any faster. In fact, it may result in excessive cooling and higher energy costs.
Cool Cheaply
More ways to keep your home cool this summer without breaking the bank come from the experts at Energy.gov. The following tips can help you stay cool at home while saving some money on your utility bills:
- Run ceiling fans in a counter clockwise direction to create a cooling affect.
- Keep your home cooler longer by keeping windows closed and shades down.
- Invest in window coverings that prevent heat from seeping through windows.
o Window awnings: Reduce up to 77 percent of solar heat gain
o Blinds: Studies show when completely closed in a sunny window, reflective blinds can lower the amount of heat gained by about 45 percent.
o Shades: One of the most effective and simplest solutions to save energy. Most effective if a highly reflective color, like white, is chosen and mounted as closely as possible to the glass. - Close doors and vents in unused rooms.
- Save heat producing tasks, like laundry or baking, for the evening.
- Seal holes and cracks around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstrip.
- Run your dishwasher later in the day using the shortest cycle possible that still cleans your dishes.
- Replace old appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star appliances
Buying a Florida Home
Although it does get hot in Florida during the summer, the Sunshine State is still the place to be! If you are currently house hunting and looking for Coral Gables luxury homes, Palm Beach Gardens luxury homes, or another location across Florida, talk to a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty sales professional. With more than 39 offices in the state of Florida, our real estate professionals can assist you finding the right place with the best energy efficient amenities, if that’s a priority for you.
Give one of the following local offices a call or find the one that’s closest to you. We are always more than happy to help!
