Guest Commentary | Sweltering in Southwest Florida?
LCEC offers five ways to keep cool without stressing out your wallet
If you’ve been outside lately and felt like you were sitting in a sauna, you’re not alone.
The sun is working overtime, and Southwest Florida’s summer heat is giving new meaning to the phrase “hot enough to fry an egg on the asphalt.” While the temps are reaching record highs, your electric bill doesn’t have to be soaring.
Following are smart tips to keep your cool, and your cash:
1. Thermostat challenge:
Set the thermostat to 78°F when home and nudge it up a few degrees when away. Every degree lower increases cooling costs up 8 percent.
2. Fantastic surprise:
Ceiling fans don’t cool rooms, they cool people. Turn fans off when leaving the room. Be sure they’re spinning counterclockwise in summer to push that cool air down.
3. Sun block:
Close window coverings during the warmest part of the day. Better yet, invest in reflective window film.
4. Cooking coolness:
Fire up the grill and skip the oven. Opt for the microwave or go full fresh with fruit, salad, and sandwiches!
5. Seal the deal:
Leaks around doors and windows let cool air out and warm air in. A little weather stripping goes a long way.
So if you play your cards right, you don’t have to sweat your electric bill just because the sun’s flexing its muscles. With five smart moves, you can manage energy usage, and your budget. Stay cool, Southwest Florida. We’ve got this.
For more energy-saving tips, visit lcec.net and enroll in SmartHub if you are an LCEC member.
Karen Ryan, is the director of Public Relations for LCEC, Southwest Florida’s electric cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Pine Island, Sanibel/Captiva, Marco Island, Immokalee and Ave Maria.
To reach KAREN RYAN, please email news@breezenewspapers.com