JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — We made a post to Facebook asking everyone to send in their electric bill for the last month. Considering the heat we've had, it's no surprise that the bills are pretty expensive.
While it's totally unscientific, we did get about 200 responses from people around the First Coast.
We took the average of those responses and found that the mean bill people are paying is $247.53.
Generally speaking, if you're below that average, you're probably doing pretty good. These tips may certainly help you too, but they'll really be helpful for those who are paying more than that average.
"There's no guarantee of what any air conditioner can do for any particular light bill," said Michael Lombardi from Waychoff's AC.
But he practices what he preaches: "In our family's house, we're able to knock off $100 a month on electrical consumption," he said.
Some tips you may have thought of before:
1. Clean filters
"When they're clean they work more efficiently which means a lower light bill," he said.
Sure, we all know we're supposed to do that (right?), but the trick is remembering. He says you should leave a note for yourself because the savings can add up.
2. Clean the drain line
"Pour a little vinegar, or I use bleach, in the drain line once a month," he said. "That'll prevent it from clogging up and causing your system to stop."
3. Set the thermostat
"Make sure your thermostat is on auto, with auto on the fan as well," Lombardi said. "And during the summer months, you want to set it to 78 degrees."
4. Buy a better system
"You're obviously going to pay more money up front, but over time it pays for itself in costs," he said.
If you are in need of a new system and can go for the slightly more expensive model, ask for one that has a SEER rating of 16 or higher.
It's more energy efficient for one thing, but also your power company may actually pay you back as well.
Depending on your provider, you could get hundreds of dollars in rebates.