ORLANDO, Fla. – With a sharp cold front moving through Central Florida on Thursday night, Florida Power & Light has released some tips about how to save on heating costs.
Forecasts show that several inland counties will experience hours of subfreezing temperatures, making it the coldest night the area has seen in over four years.
The rare blast of Arctic air is expected to bring dangerous cold conditions, so it’s important to bring pets indoors, cover sensitive plants, and keep an eye on exposed pipes.
[FLORIDA FREEZE: When do frigid temps arrive, how low will they go & how long will they last?]
In a release, a spokesperson for FPL provided News 6 with some tips to keep costs down during the chilly weather:
- Set your thermostat to 68°: Every degree below 68 can save you 5% on heating costs.
- Avoid raising the thermostat by more than two degrees at a time: Changing it by more than that can activate your system’s auxiliary heating, which can add up to $15 per day if used over 12 hours a day.
- Use regular/electric blankets before increasing the heat: Just remember to turn them off before you leave the room, and keep children and pets at least 3 feet away.
- Seal out the cold: You can do this by repairing door and window seals.
- Take advantage of the sunshine: Open blinds or curtains during the day.
- Use space heaters safely and efficiently
- Choose models with thermostats and timers for better control.
- Keep heaters away from furniture and drapes, and turn them off when leaving the room.
- For maximum efficiency, use space heaters in well-insulated rooms.
Last year, FPL Lead Energy Solutions Specialist Laura Blair also told News 6 that homeowners can seal off cracks in their homes to keep warm air from escaping.
Meanwhile, you can find the full heating-and-cooling guide below.