In light of the increase in electric bills, the city of Leesburg is offering tips to help citizens save money on their electric bills.
Leesburg Electric’s cost to purchase power is projected to rise by over 65 percent during the course of Fiscal Year 23 and the utility has absorbed more than $12 million in FY 22 helping defray electric costs for its customers. Power generation costs or “fuel cost” increases are recovered from customers through a direct pass through on utility bills which is called the Bulk Power Cost Adjustment (BPCA).
The best way to understand how you can save money on your electric bill, is to understand how power is used in your home. Making small changes in habits can make a big difference to your usage and can, in turn, lower your electric bill.
The chart below breaks out what devices within the home consume the most electricity.
Here are some thoughts and tips, every consumer can use, to lower their electric consumption:
- It’s All About The Numbers, 78 & 68
- More than 50% of your electric bill comes from your air conditioning and heating of your home.
- In the summer the number is 78. During the summer months, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. Make sure to raise the thermostat a few degrees before you leave your home.
- In the winter the number is 68. During the winter months, keep your thermostat at 68 degrees. Make sure to lower the thermostat a few degrees before you leave your home.
- Make sure your thermostat fan switch is set to “auto”.
- Keep interior doors and air conditioning vents open to maintain proper airflow.
- Have your air conditioner serviced once per year.
- Create a Breeze
- Using ceiling fans or oscillating fans to move the air around will help you stay comfortably cool. You can even raise your thermostat a few degrees and not feel the difference. But, make sure you turn off the fans when you’re not around.
• It’s All About The Shade
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- Keep out the summer heat by closing your curtains, mini-blinds and shutters. By keeping the curtains, mini-blinds and shutters closed, the amount of heat entering your home will be reduced and will reduce your electric bill.
- Keep out the winter cold by opening the curtains, mini-blinds and shutters. By keeping the curtains, mini-blinds and shutters open, the sunlight will warm your home and will reduce your electric bill.
• Keep The Doors Shut
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- Decide what you need from the refrigerator before you open the door. Frequently opening and closing the refrigerator door will cause your refrigerator to work harder to keep the temperature regulated. This will increase your electric bill.
- Keep your exterior doors closed as much as possible. Frequently opening and closing exterior doors will cause your air conditioner to work harder to keep your home’s temperature regulated. This will increase your electric bill.
• Keep It Clean
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- Change out the air conditioning filter every month with a new clean filter. Dirty air conditioning filters put an unnecessary strain on the unit by restricting the airflow through the unit which will increase your electric bill.
- A Cool Wash
- Only run your washing and dishwasher when you have a full load.
- Use warm or cold water when possible when washing your clothes.
- Make sure your dryer lint filter is cleaned before each load, this will help the dryer work more efficiently and save you money on your electric bill.
- Reset The Temp
- Reset both the upper and lower thermostats on your hot water heater to 125 degrees or lower. By doing this, the water heater will not work as much, which will lower your electric bill.
- Seeing The Light
- Change out incandescent lights with LED. LED’s will give you the same amount of light, but for about one-third to one-half the cost. As an added benefit, LED bulbs put off less heat which will help save you money on your air conditioning costs.
- Plug The Leaks
- Check the air handler and ductwork for leaks.
- Weather-strip or caulk around windows, doors and other gaps so that heating and cooling energy won’t escape your home.
- Electronics
- Plug electronic equipment into a power strip, then turn the strip off when not in use.
- Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or when the charger is not in use.
Customers who have questions about their utility bills should contact the City of Leesburg Customer Service Department at (352) 728-9800. Data on Leesburg Electric’s latest projections, costs and rates can be found in the “Rate Watch” section on the homepage of the City’s website at LeesburgFlorida.gov.
