Summer heat means higher electric bills, FPL offers advice

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—As temperatures climb, so do electric bills, but a Florida Power and Light energy expert shares ways to keep cooling costs down.

Summer is approaching, and many are already feeling the heat. Finding ways to stay cool comes at a hefty cost every year.

"It's the highest bill you'll see in the year, it's definitely in the summer for everyone using electricity, and there's a very simple reason: it's your air conditioner," Bianca Soriano said.

Soriano is an FPL energy expert who says when outside temperatures soar, about 60% to 70% of energy consumption is for air conditioning. She says there are many things you can do to keep your bills as low as possible.

"If you like to keep your home at, you know, a very cool setting, like 72 it's good to consider going from the range of 75 to 78 degrees, especially during the day, if most people are at work or at camp now in the summer, because as for every degree you turn it up, it's going to help you save 3% to 5% on those cooling costs," Soriano said. "Another very important thing is to really give your AC some great maintenance annually, hire someone who specializes in that in advance of the summer season, and also just change your filter regularly."

Regular maintenance will help your air conditioner run more efficiently.

One common myth is to turn off the air conditioner completely when leaving for vacation. Soriano says the answer is no.

"When you come home, your AC being off causes your house to really just heat up. Sometimes it could create a moldy smell," Soriano said. "It can also make your bill higher when you return, because your AC is going to work around the clock to just cool your home back down."

Instead, FPL recommends that customers set their thermostat to 82 degrees if they won't be home for a week or longer.