Energy-Saving Tips & Ways to Cool Your Home

Electric bills are increasing due to higher rates and increasing temperatures. Since 1970, Miami-Dade County has had an average increase of days above 90°F from 84 to now 133 days per year, which will continue to rise. Here are some no & low-cost energy-saving tips you can do all year round to keep your home cool.

- Set your thermostat between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Raise the thermostat when you’re not at home, but do not turn it completely off. Set it at no higher than 82 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the home from mold and keep your pets safe from high temperatures.
- Unplug all electronics or use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. These are available at major retailers at $15 or $20 for basic models.
- Use a fan when in the room to provide greater cooling. Turn off the fan when leaving the unit.
- Close your curtains, shades and blinds when practical during the day and/or apply a tint to your windows to cool a room during hot daytime hours.
- Make sure vents are not blocked so that the air can flow freely. Blocked air vents make it harder for your HVAC system to run effectively and can lead to higher energy bills.
- If you have central A/C, check all ducts and seals. Use weather stripping to seal up small cracks around windows and door sweeps - also known as draft blockers -to prevent cold air from escaping.
- Check and/or replace your air filters every month during the summer (May-Oct.). In the winter, change them every two months.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
- Change the way you do laundry. Wash clothes in cold water when possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, make sure to remove the lint before every cycle.
- Install light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. They are more expensive but last longer, use less energy and do not add heat to your home. This alone can result in up to $75 of savings per lightbulb a year.
- Maximize the efficiency of your HVAC by having a licensed professional inspect it twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall. Install a unit with a 15 SEER or higher, which can reduce your energy use by 20-50%.
- Conduct a home energy audit with a professional energy auditor who will perform tests highlighting ways to reduce energy use and save money.
- Switch to EnergyStar-certified energy-efficient appliances (i.e.: refrigerator, clothes washer).
- Plant native shade trees on the east, west and south sides of your house. Mature shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by 30%. Shading the outdoor part of the A/C unit can lower cooling costs.
- Improve insulation in your home: Ceilings, attics, crawl spaces and even walls can all be upgraded with better insulation. Utilities offer rebates and IRS provides tax credits for insulation.
- Install awnings or exterior shades.
- Make your roof a reflective white. Switching to a white roof can achieve up to 20% energy savings.
- Install solar panels, if your home is suitable, to save on electricity bills or eliminate them completely.
- Miami-Dade County offers assistance to households unable to pay their electric bill. Learn more.
- Miami-Dade County also offers the Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) to assist low-income homeowners with making their homes energy efficient through the installation of cost-saving measures. You can also enroll in Go Green To Save Green Challenge.
- The State’s My Florida Home Energy provides a survey to homeowners to develop a customized home improvement plan and list of financial incentives.
- Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, federal income tax credits for energy-efficiency home improvements will be available through 2032. Learn more about tax credits and rebates from the IRA.
- Solar Energy Loan Fund and Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida offer low-cost financing for energy efficiency retrofits and solar installations.
- Homestead Energy Services offers the EnergySaver Program to help their customers save energy.
- FPL also offers energy savings programs and rebates for AC and insulation. Learn more.
- The U.S. Department of Energy has set up a one-stop shop for energy incentives. Find out more at the DOE Energy Savings Hub.

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