Heating and air conditioning in Florida homes are a large part of the annual energy bill, but we've included some tips for dealing with this.

1. Summer Energy Saving Tips
Summertime can create a tremendous surge in power consumption, driving energy costs
through the roof. Here, Ed’s Comfort Solutions offers a few ideas you can implement this
summer to reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bills. Heating and air
conditioning in Florida homes are a large part of the annual energy bill, but we've included some
tips for dealing with this.
In the Kitchen
Most of the home's major appliances are located in the kitchen and can have a significant
impact on your energy costs.
Grill or Microwave—cooking on a charcoal or even propane grill can save you money
when compared to using a gas or elective stove or oven. The microwave is also an
excellent choice for reducing energy use.
Use the Dishwasher—believe it or not, the average dishwasher consumes less water
than it takes to wash your dishes by hand. Turn off the dishwasher before the drying
cycle and allow the dishes to dry by air to realize bigger savings.
Fill the Freezer and Fridge—when the door to the fridge or freezer is opened, the warm
air outside the appliance rushes in. The refrigerator or freezer has to work twice as hard
to cool back down. By keeping it full, less warmth enters, and the unit works more
efficiently.
Run Only a Full Dishwasher—it takes approximately the same amount of water and
energy to wash a small load of dishes as it does a large load, so be sure to run the
dishwasher only when it is full.
In the Laundry Room
Here is another area where energy-hogging appliances dwell. Your washer and dryer consume
resources at increased rates during the summer when energy costs tend to go up. Try these
summer energy savings tips to cut costs in the laundry room.
Set the Water Temperature Correctly—for the wash cycle, use either cold or warm
water. Skip the hot setting altogether as it really doesn't make your clothes any cleaner.
Always rinse in cold water.

2. Skip the Dryer—when weather permits, hang clothes outdoors to dry.
Use the Proper Dryer Setting—by selecting the moisture-sensing setting, the dryer will
shut off when clothes are dry instead of running for a prescribed amount of time, which
can waste energy.
In the Home in General
There are ways throughout the home to save money on energy costs. Some of these tips may
seem like common sense, but we can get stuck in our routines and easily overlook basic things.
Avoid Peak Electrical Use Times—energy consumption peaks between 4 p.m. and 6
p.m. so try to avoid these times when running appliances. Air conditioning
Jacksonville homes in the summer adds to this peak consumption time.
Turn Them Off—light switches, appliances and other household equipment should be
turned completely off when not in use.
Unplug—even when not in use, many appliances still draw energy when they are
switched off. Many have power indicator lights or clocks that continue to run. If they
aren't needed, use a power strip to cut the power completely when not in use.
Turn Up the Thermostat—by setting the thermostat higher in the summer months, you
will use less energy to cool the house. Set the thermostat at 85 degrees when you are
away from the house and 78 when you are home to see some real savings. Heating
and air conditioning Florida homes contribute a great deal to your energy bills, so this
tip can save you a bundle.
Choose Fans over A/C—ceiling fans and circulating fans draw much less power and can
do an adequate job of cooling. While air conditioning Jacksonville residences is
seemingly a priority, try the fans to save some real cash.
By employing these money saving tips, you can save energy and reduce your summertime
energy costs. Contact Ed's Comfort Solutions for more ways to save on energy costs and
improve your home's efficiency.