(Pensacola, FL, Thursday, December 22, 2022) – When temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s in Florida, many people are surprised to learn that heating their home can lead to an increase in energy use, which leads to higher bills.

Sarah Gatewood, with Florida Power & Light Company, shares helpful tips on how to conserve energy and save up to $56 a month on your energy bill.

SOUNDBITE #1:

WHEN HEATING YOUR HOME, SET YOUR THERMOSTAT TO SIXTY-EIGHT DEGREES AND KEEP YOUR FAN SET ON “AUTO.” EVERY DEGREE ABOVE SIXTY-EIGHT COULD ADD UP TO TEN PERCENT TO YOUR HEATING COSTS. ALSO, AVOID CHANGING YOUR THERMOSTAT BY MORE THAN TWO DEGREES AT A TIME TO KEEP EMERGENCY HEAT, OR HEAT STRIPS, FROM TURNING ON. USING EMERGENCY HEAT CAN ADD UP TO $20 PER DAY TO YOUR BILL.

SOUNDBITE #2:

TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE ON YOUR WATER HEATER. LOWERING IT TO ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY DEGREES WILL STILL PROVIDE PLENTY OF HOT WATER. USE SPACE HEATERS SAFELY AND ONLY IN SMALL AREAS, AS THEY CAN USE A LOT OF ENERGY. YOU CAN ALSO USE ELECTRIC BLANKETS OR HEATED MATTRESS COVERS TO KEEP WARM AT NIGHT, BUT BE SURE TO USE THESE SAFELY AND AVOID RUNNING CORDS UNDER YOUR MATTRESS.

Visit FPL.com/WaysToSave for more ways to lower your energy bill this winter.