Cut Electricity Bill and Keep the AC

We live in South Florida, where AC is generally not an option, but a necessity. We're on the electric company's budget billing plan, but have slashed $100+ a month off compared to last year's bill - even with hotter temperatures this year. The major reasons for this have been:

• Kept drapes/blinds drawn throughout the day where the sunlight exposure is greatest.

• Kept the AC thermostat at 78 F; lowering it to 77 F only when it's in the mid-90's or higher outside.

• Shaded our outside AC compressor from direct sunlight. If you have a split system, with your exchanger indoors and the compressor outdoors, shading the outdoor unit can save 3% on your bill.

• Installed ceiling fans in every room; keep them running in the rooms you're using (off in the ones you're not) and especially in the area where your thermostat is located. They cost pennies to run and help keep the house cooler though the thermostat is set at 78.

• Installed a newer, more energy-efficient hot water heater.

• Gave up the chest freezer. It was older and a huge energy draw; also, in our area during Hurricane Season, power outages are common. Stockpiling foods that can (and have) gone bad also isn't a smart option for us.
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• Did laundry solely in cold water.

• Used my electric dryer as a nice folding table, LOL. It still worked fine and was a newer model, but hanging all my laundry outdoors has cut SIXTY dollars every month on the electric bill alone. Not only that, but the ambient temperature in the laundry room doesn't soar to high heaven anymore--also saving wear and tear (and cash output) from the AC system. For anyone living in that rainy season area where it's generally sunny in the morning and rainy all afternoon, this can still be done. I've forced myself to get up and throw wash in very early in the morning so it's line-dried by noon when the storms usually roll in.

I've had the same meter reader for years and he just laughs and shakes his head every month. "You people are going to put me out of a job!"

By Candy Killion from Hollywood, FL