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Keeping your cool without heating up your electric bill

Southwest Florida’s steamy subtropical summers cause the nation’s highest average annual air conditioning use. In fact, air conditioning accounts for approximately half of most average monthly utility bills. So is there a way to really keep cool in SWFL during summertime without cranking down the AC? Below are some ways to keep cool without breaking the bank!

-Keep your blinds closed. Much of the heat in your home comes from windows. Utilizing curtains or blinds can help to keep your home cool.

-Keep your interior doors open. When you close off rooms, you prevent air from flowing through your home. Air circulation is necessary for your comfort and for the efficiency of your air conditioner. The harder your AC has to work, the higher your electric bill could get.

-Use fans. Many people trick themselves into feeling cool by filling a bowl with ice and positioning it in front of a fan in a way that makes the breeze feel much cooler than just having a fan blow on them. It is also wise to set your fan counter-clockwise in the summer. Fans can be equally as wonderful as air conditioning and cost way less to use than AC!

-Go cotton. Ditch your heavy sheets during the summer and opt for cool cotton. To keep extra cool, you might want to invest in a buckwheat pillow which doesn’t hold body heat like conventional pillows. On really hot summer nights, some experts suggest slightly dampening your sheets before bed to keep you cool, calm and cozy while you sleep.

-Dress the part. Wear light, cool clothing during the hot summer months, and apply a cold cloth to hot spots including necks and wrists.

-Use your bathroom and kitchen fans when appropriate. These fans help pull the hot air from the room, keeping you cool.

-Grill out and chill out. Avoid using the hot oven if you can. If your home is already hot, a 400 degree oven will only add to the heat!

If you aren’t one to skimp on air conditioning to save on your electric bill, be wise with your usage. LCEC recommends setting the thermostat at 83 degrees if you are away from your home more than two hours and at 78 degrees while you are home. Each degree below the recommended temperature of 78 degrees adds eight percent to cooling costs.

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