October is National Energy Awareness Month, but it’s easy to save energy and money year-round. Here are several low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy in your home or business.
Set your thermostat and leave it
- As much as half of the energy bought in your home goes to heating and cooling. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer or 68 degrees or lower in the winter and leave it there. For every degree below or above that setting, you’ll buy 10 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Energy Select — Energy Select is an advanced energy management and pricing program offered by Gulf Power that can help you save money and energy. You get:
- A thermostat you program for comfort and savings.
- Online Programming — You can now program your Energy Select thermostat from any computer with internet access.
- A special rate that features four different prices based upon the time of day, day of week and season. And, because the price you pay is lower than the normal rate 87 percent of the time, you can choose to buy electricity during lower priced periods, which saves you money and energy.
- FREE installation.
- Go to MyGulfPower.com or call 1-877-655-4001 for more information.
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
- Gulf Power offers an EarthCents incentive to customers who install qualifying insulation. Go to MyGulfPower.com or call 1-877-655-4001 for more information.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly and know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to replace the seal.
- Looking to get rid of an extra refrigerator or freezer? Gulf Power offers a free refrigerator-recycling program that offers a $35 incentive and free home pick-up. Go to MyGulfPower.com for more information.
Don’t know where to start?
Gulf Power customers also can get a free Energy Checkup online or at your home with an appointment. Gulf Power energy experts will analyze your house and electricity use, and look for ways to make the house more energy efficient. Just go to MyGulfPower.com or call 1-877-655-4001.
Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”
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