JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With temperatures in the high 90s, you may have the urge to put your AC on full blast. But financial experts say that will amp up your electricity bill.
Ashley Avery with the First Florida Credit Union says you may pay upwards of $700 from June to September. That's almost an 8% jump from last year.
This is due to the rising costs of fuel used by utility companies, and the weather itself.
So, what can you do to save some money this summer?
“You can adjust your thermostat by just one degree and that can save you up to 3% on your utility bill. Plus, programmable thermostats are great because they can really help you control the temperature more efficiently throughout the day,” explained Avery.
Changing out your air filters regularly will also improve airflow in your home.
“That can help to save on energy as well. So, we want to do that every few months, and that's going to improve your indoor air quality too,” added Avery.
To help improve your HVAC system's efficiency, unclogging air vents help to circulate the air a lot better, which keeps homes cooler and lower energy bills. It also could be beneficial to keep the sunlight out of the room.
“During the summer, you want to keep those blinds closed and keep those curtains shut to keep that heat out. Also, reflective window coverings work great to reduce heat,” she mentioned.
Florida customers will pay a whopping $792 to keep their homes cool their summer, which is more than average according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. So, even changing your ceiling fan setting can go a long way.
“When we adjust our ceiling fans to run counterclockwise, that's going to create a cool breeze, which is perfect for the summer, and that way when you adjust your thermostat up, you can still stay comfortable,” Avery said.
And keeping the heat out of the kitchen can cut down on costs.
“When you're cooking in the summertime and you're using your oven, that really creates a lot of heat in the home. So, try to find alternative ways like slow cooker, air fryer, maybe grilling outside,” she explained.
To keep an eye out on daily temperature highs in your region, you can stay up to date on the weather in your area on the First Coast News.