Tips for Conserving Water

 

Clewiston Utilities is committed to helping customers conserve water. For assistance calculating your household use, and other helpful tips, please visit the SFWMD water use calculator at https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/water-use-calculator

 

Save Energy and Money on Your Bill

 

Weather has a big impact on how much electricity you use, and usage is what makes your electric bill vary from month to month. For example, as temperatures soar or dip, your cooling and heating equipment run more, leading to more electricity usage. If you want to control your electric bill, look for ways to minimize electricity usage. Here are the top energy-saving and money-saving tips for your home.


Top 5 Energy Saving Tips for Homes

 

Heating and Cooling: Space conditioning is often the biggest energy user, particularly in Florida. Set your air conditioning thermostat on “auto” at 78 degrees or higher during the summer and 65 degrees or lower in winter. For additional savings when you are away from home, raise the thermostat to 82-84 degrees in summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% a year by doing this. Clean or replace your air conditioning filter once a month to help your unit run more efficiently.

Lighting: Lighting uses more energy than people might think. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests replacing the five most frequently used lights with ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs to save up to $75 each year.

Water Heater: Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees or lower. You could consider adding an insulation blanket around your water heater tank. If your water heater is old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.

Air Leaks and Insulation: Keep the cool air inside your home by inspecting your doors and windows for cracks. If you find any, fill them with caulk or other products. Add weatherstripping to windows and doors. Check your air duct for leaks. Add or upgrade the insulation to your attic.

Appliances: Use appliances in your kitchen and laundry more efficiently. In your kitchen, run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry option, if available. For laundry, try to use less or cooler water. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut your energy usage in half, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy.

For additional energy savings tips, the City of Clewiston and the Florida Municipal Power Agency produced videos with quick tips and how-to demonstrations on seven energy efficiency topics.

 

A source for detailed information on energy conservation is available from the U.S. Department of Energy. Their Energy Savers booklet is available for download English and Spanish in versions.