Top 10 energy-saving tips

People Magazine has a “Top Ten” list, as does countless other publications and TV shows. Add to that mix Duke Energy Florida, with our own top 10 energy saving tips derived from decades of energy-efficiency expertise. Duke Energy Florida’s top 10 energy saving tips include:

10.  Regulate your thermostat.  For optimal savings, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in warmer months and 70 degrees or lower during cooler months.  Adhering to the adjustments year-round could save more than $175 in energy costs.

9.   Seal leaks.  Use weather stripping our caulk to seal around doors and windows and install inexpensive gaskets under electrical outlets to obstruct leaks.  Repair leaky ducts and reduce cooling and heating costs by a third.

8.  Make the switch.  American could collectively save more than $8 billion a year by replacing their five most-used light fixtures with ENERGY STAR qualified products.  In addition to using 75 percent energy than incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs generate less heat and last 10 times longer.

7.  Perform routine maintenance.  Indoors, clean or change the filters in your air condition or heating system monthly.  Outdoors, keep your pool pump and filter in good repair.  Keep drains free of debris to prevent overworking your pump and increasing energy use.

6.  Adjust your water heater.  Dropping the temperature from 140 to 120 degrees could save about $25 a year.  A setting of 120 degrees is sufficient for most household needs.

5.  Insulate.  Many areas of your home can benefit from insulation.  Wrap the first six feet of pipes connected to your water heater and add an insulation blanket to your water heater to keep heat in more effectively.  Upgrade your attic insulation to the recommended level of R30.  Outdoors, use a pool cover to help reduce heat loss caused by evaporation and limit debris in the pool – a move that will also reduce necessary filtration cycles.

4.  Opt for energy-efficient appliances.  Look for the Energy Guide label for significant savings.  A new energy-efficient refrigerator may use 75 percent less energy than your older model.  Not ready to replace large appliances?  When purchasing a new television, consider ENERGY STAR qualified models which are up to 40 percent more efficient.

3.  Reduce pump cycles.  Limit pool cycles to four to six hours each day in the summer and three hours per day in the winter.  Follow this guideline to reduce your pool’s annual electric consumption by up to 60 percent – and extend the pump’s life in the process.

2.  Consolidate.  The extra refrigerator in your garage or utility room is costing you.  Combine your food and drinks into one indoor refrigerator and save up to $20 per month.  Keeping a fully stocked, but not over stuffed, fridge and freezer also is great way to save energy and money.

1.  Get a Home Energy Check.  Contact Duke Energy Florida for a no-cost Home Energy Check.  The check provides customized energy-saving advice and determines your eligibility for valuable rebates toward energy-efficient home improvements.

The service can be performed over the phone, online or in person, where an Energy Advisor will address energy-saving opportunities specific to your home.  A Home Energy Check is a prerequisite to all Duke Energy Florida rebates for energy-efficient home improvements.

To sign up for a no-cost Home Energy Check, or to view more than 100 energy-saving tips, visit www.duke-energy.com or call 1.877.574.0340.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns coal-fired and natural gas generation providing about 9,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 20,000-square-mile service area.

With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with approximately $115 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest.

Its commercial power and international energy business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.