Duke Energy : Labor Day getaway? Duke Energy Florida offers tips to save on your electric bill while you’re away

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Before heading out for the long Labor Day weekend, customers should consider these tips from Duke Energy Florida to lower their electric bills while they are away.

• Don't cool an empty house. Set your air conditioner's thermostat to 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit when you will be away for several days. If you have a programmable thermostat, use the 'vacation' mode. Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees will have a significant impact. A change of just three degrees for 24 hours a day can save 30 percent on your cooling costs. Also, be sure the fan is set to 'auto,' not 'on.' Leaving the fan on all the time can cost up to $25 a month.

• Turn off your electric water heater at your breaker if you plan on leaving home for a few days. Most models will reheat the water to the set temperature in about an hour. A large amount of the cost of running a water heater is due to the 'standby' losses. Water heaters are among the top three energy using appliances in your home.
• Fill the refrigerator. Most of us empty our refrigerators before heading out of town, but a fully stocked refrigerator keeps cold better than an empty one. Keep the fridge and freezer full and tightly packed and the cold items will keep each other cold. You don't have to use food; you can use water containers or ice trays.
• Adjust the refrigerator's thermostat. Conserve more energy by adjusting the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to higher settings; 38 degrees F for the refrigerator and 5 degrees F for the freezer. For trips lasting four weeks or more, consider emptying your refrigerator completely and unplugging it.
• Unplug all electrical equipment. Electronic appliances can act like energy vampires, sucking power even when they are not in use. These are called phantom loads. Your television, coffee maker, cable boxes, game console, laptop computer and even your rechargeable toothbrushes are a few examples of these phantom power users. Use the Duke Energy energy slayer calculator to see how much you can save (www.duke-energy.com/energyvampire) by pulling the plug before you head out of town.
• Make sure fans and lights are turned off. For security lights, consider using a timer. And, switch bulbs to LED or CFL versions to save even more.
• Close window curtains and shades. Blocking out the hot afternoon sun reduces stress on the air conditioner.

These simple, no-cost steps will reduce your home energy use and help keep a few dollars in your pocket for next year's vacation fund. Savings will vary depending on a number of factors including number of days on vacation, tips implemented, home size, cooling system efficiency and insulation level.

'Knowing how to be energy wise can really help customers save,' said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president - Florida. 'Through the company's energy efficiency programs, Duke Energy Florida's customers have collectively saved more than $1.5 billion in energy costs over the last 30 years. That's enough electricity to power more than 1 million homes for a year.'

Duke Energy is an industry leader in the development and implementation of programs to help customers save energy and money. Customers can save year round by taking advantage of the many options the company offers.

Visit duke-energy.com/save for additional information on all of Duke Energy Florida's energy-saving programs, rebates and incentives.

About Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix, including renewables, providing about 9,100 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. Its Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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Media contact: Ana Gibbs

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