It's Electric! 15 ways to save money on your electric bills.

Typically when the rest of the country is freezing, the Winter in Florida is perfectly comfortable....no snow, no ice and no warming up your car for 5 minutes in your driveway before heading out.

This time of the year is the reason I live in Florida; you can finally keep your windows open every day and enjoy a cool breeze, and you can enjoy outdoor dining and exercising without passing out from the heat and humidity. It is certainly a nice break that I always miss as we get closer to the summer, when the thermometer is stuck at 90 degrees, the humidity is at 100% and you wonder how the meteorologist still has a job when forecast has not changed in 6 months. And don't even get me started about my frizzy hair once the humidity sets in (ladies, you know what I'm talking about).

I did some research, and compiled this energy-saving list that is sure to save you money on your next electric bill. These are simple things you can get stated on today, to create new habits that will last a lifetime:

1) Motion detector lights in the kid's room: You can't get them to shut off the lights, so you might as well have the light do it for you!
2) Shut off the lights in the rooms you are not using, and shut off outdoor lights if you are home.
3) Close the vents in rooms that are not being used.
4) Take shorter showers to save on hot water.
5) Wash your clothes in cold water: Also, make sure you are washing FULL loads of laundry. Throwing just a few items in the wash can waste up to 50 gallons of water!
6) In the summer, raise the a/c. In the winter, throw on a sweater and lower the heat. Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees can save a ton of money!
7) Use energy efficient light bulbs: Be sure you dispose of fluorescent light bulbs properly. They have small traces of mercury contained inside of them. Mercury is toxic! Visit this web site for more information.
8) Replace higher wattage light bulbs to lower watt bulbs.
9) Turn off your computer when you are not using it.
10) Unplug appliances that you are not using (including cell phone chargers.)
11) Don't fall asleep with the TV on: Your TV uses a lot of power. Fall asleep reading a book instead.
12) Install ceiling fans in your home to help circulate air and keep rooms cool without a/c.
13) In the summer, keep your blinds closed to keep your home cool.
14) Shut off the water while you brush your teeth.
15) Clean/change your air filter each month.

You can also contact your local electrical utilities web site and request a FREE home energy evaluation to see how energy efficient your home is.

Beth Hobart