Florida Public Utilities Company

Common Home Energy Myths and Misconceptions

Misinformation about home efficiency can make it hard to reduce energy waste. Thankfully, energy providers like the Florida Public Utilities Company provides resources to clear up these misunderstandings. Read on and learn to avoid the common energy mistakes that are inflating your power bill.  

• Terminology Issues: Energy efficiency is currently a hot topic. Sometimes the terminology can be confusing. For instance, many homeowners have difficulty distinguishing between the concepts of energy efficiency and energy conservation. Energy efficiency refers to an appliance’s ability to use the energy to operate it with minimal loss. Fluorescent lights, for instance, use 75% less electricity while producing the same amount of light. Energy conservation is referring to how we as humans use less energy through things like turning off lights and computers when not in use. Setting your thermostat a couple degrees warmer in the summer is a conservation measure. Equipment and appliances relate to efficiency. Human behavior relates to conservation.
• Appliance Myths: Now, based on that knowledge, just because you buy a high efficiency appliance like a 15 SEER air conditioner or a gas tankless water heater doesn’t necessarily equal lower utility bills. The reason is because of the human factor. Gas tankless water heaters for example will never run out of hot water. Therefore, it is conceivable that a household with a couple teenagers may find it is difficult to get them out of the shower! Longer showers = negating the efficiency improvement of the appliance by our lack of energy conservation! The high efficiency air conditioner with the temperature dropped from 78 degrees to 75 degrees will negate the savings.

You can also save money by working with a reliable, supportive energy provider. Choose Florida Public Utilities Company if you need natural gas, electric, or propane service for your home. We can be contacted online or by phone at (561) 832-0872.

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