During the Summer months here in the heat of West Central Florida, keeping your electric bill down can be quite a task. One good way to keep the bill down is to try and keep your house cooler, this will keep the A/C from running constantly. Your dryer is a big heat producer inside of the home. If you run your dryer for ten minutes and then hang your clothes out to dry on a line, you create less heat in the home and your clothes won’t be as stiff as they are when you don’t use your dryer at all. When washing your clothes, use more cold water. This will also save on the electric bill by reducing the heat and not using the hot water heater.

Your oven is another big producer of heat. Cook out more. Using the grill will not only save on the electric bill but it tastes great and is healthier for you as well. You could also invest in a crockpot. These produce less heat and use up less electricity.

Keep your windows shaded. Try to keep your blinds or curtains closed as much as you can. Tinting or glazing your windows is another way to keep the rooms cooler. Close doors to the rooms that aren’t being used. Change your air filters to your A/C at least once a month, this will keep the A/C from over working itself by trying to push air through dirty filters.

Ceiling fans keep the air circulating which will also keep rooms cooler, especially in rooms where your computer is, as a computer puts out a lot of heat as well. Try to remember to turn off lights and TV’s when you leave rooms. All of the little things add up at the end of the month. Make a conscience note when leaving a room to turn off the light, the fan, and to shut the door. Soon it will become a habit.