Save Money at Home: TECO Audit, Tips for Energy Efficiency

It's a pretty safe bet you've resolved to save money in the new year. These tips, from the Tampa Electric Co. (TECO), can help you start saving at home, with a focus on energy efficiency (see chart below).

______________

TECO: Energy Saving Programs

Tampa Electric reports that it offers more energy saving programs for residential and commercial customers than any other investor-owned utility in Florida. Learn more about the 40 energy saving programs at TECO online.

Here's a sampling of programs:

• Energy Planner Program – Savings of 8 to 10 percent on electricity costs are possible through this program. Customers willing to make minor changes concerning when they use electricity reportedly can take advantage of lower rates available 87 percent of the time.

• Sealing Ductwork Leaks - Savings of 10 to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs are possible after a TECO-trained professional seals leaks in air-conditioning ductwork. Sealing leaks helps lower overall energy consumption.  

______________

TECO: Home Energy Audit

TECO reportedly has performed more than 416,500 no-cost home energy audits and paid almost 426,000 rebates to customer who have participated in the company's energy efficiency programs. "That's about as much electricity as it takes to serve 780,000 homes for a year," according to a TECO report. 

Sign up for TECO's free home energy audit with a call to TECO's energy management serivces, 813-275-3909. Energy analysts reportedly will "inspect your home and identify areas where you can save valuable energy." Customers willing to make "behavioral changes" and "follow the analyst's recommendations can save on energy costs."

With each audit, TECO will deliver to the participant a free pack of eight energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs.

As part of the audit, the analysts will provide information about additional energy-saving programs.

______________

ENERGY SAVING TIPS TO USE NOW TO SAVE MONEY TOMORROW

Energy Saving Tip Reasoning Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower when the weather is chilly.  Every degree above 68 can add 3 percent to 5 percent to the heating portion of your power bill. Only use ceiling fans in occupied rooms. Fans cool people, not furniture. Replace your standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and save about $30 in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. CFLs use 75 percent less energy. Turn off computers and monitors when not in use. Unplug electronics, gadgets and chargers. Lower the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees. Clean or replace air conditioning filters each month.  This helps the unit run more efficiently. Source: Tampa Electric Co. (TECO)

______________