Summer Energy Saving Tips

Air Conditioners and Water Heaters Drive the Biggest Savings

Air conditioning is the single largest energy drain in a Florida home. Duke Energy Florida recommends setting the thermostat to 78°F when you are home. Every degree higher saves between 5% and 10% on cooling costs, according to PR Newswire. That one change alone can make a meaningful dent in a summer bill.

Electric water heaters rank as the second-biggest energy user. Duke advises dropping the temperature setting to 120°F. Lowering it from 140°F to 120°F saves between 6% and 10% on water heating costs, according to Yahoo Finance. That setting is also safer — it reduces the risk of scalding.

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The Dollar Bill Test Could Reveal a Costly Refrigerator Leak

Refrigerators run around the clock, making a worn door seal an invisible money drain. Duke Energy Florida recommends a simple check: close the door on a dollar bill. If the bill slides out easily, cold air is leaking and the gasket needs replacing. A faulty seal can raise a refrigerator's energy use by as much as 20%, according to Yahoo Finance.

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Washing Machines and Dishwashers Waste Energy in Overlooked Ways

Heating water accounts for 90% of a washing machine's energy use. Duke Energy says switching to cold water for laundry is one of the easiest wins available. For dishwashers, the utility recommends skipping the heat dry cycle and using the air dry setting instead. Running only full loads also stretches every kilowatt-hour further, according to PR Newswire.

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Why Duke Energy Wants Customers to Use Less Power This Summer

This campaign is not just about saving customers money. When customers lower demand during peak hours — roughly 2 PM to 7 PM — Duke avoids buying expensive power on the spot market or running older, less efficient plants. Energy analyst Gregory Henderson called it a "demand-side management" tactic that protects the grid, according to Yahoo Finance.

State President Melissa Seixas framed it as a partnership. "Small adjustments to daily habits can lead to significant savings as we face the hottest months of the year," she said, according to PR Newswire. If just 20% of Duke's 2 million customers follow the five tips, the grid could shed hundreds of megawatts during the hottest afternoons of the season.

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