7 Ways to an Energy Efficient Home in Florida

If you want a more energy-efficient home in Florida, you can take steps to achieve this. Keep reading for seven ways to an energy-efficient home.

The average monthly electric bill for Florida households is $261 per month. That's a lot of money that you're sending to electric companies. There must be a way to conserve energy and lower those bills, right? 

There are several ways to create a more energy-efficient home! Some of them are even so easy that you can start doing them right away. What are you waiting for?



We're here to discuss 7 of the best way to start reducing your energy usage in your Florida home. Read on to learn more.

1. Block Windows During the Day

Do you find yourself running your air conditioner on full blast all summer long? Even during the cooler months, the sun can make your home sweltering if you have large windows and relatively compact rooms. The sun turns your home into an oven!

Instead of running the air conditioner, we recommend blocking some (if not all) of the sunlight from coming into your home.

During the day when you're not home, thick curtains are great for this. They'll keep your home dark and cool. You shouldn't be running the air conditioner when you're not home anyway.

But what about when you are home? You might still want to enjoy the view from your home or appreciate the natural light from the outdoors. After all, it's also not energy-efficient to have lights on all day long when there's plenty of sunlight to take advantage of (more on that later).

Window tinting is a great solution. With only a slight modification to your windows, you can dramatically lower the temperature in your home even if you let the light in. 

2. Be More Conscious of Your Light Usage

Speaking of light, how often do you overuse artificial light? Pay attention to how often you leave a light on when you don't actually need it and you might be surprised. 

During the day when you're at home, do your best to rely on the light from your tinted windows. Despite the tint, it should be bright enough in your home. If you prefer to cover your windows to block potential onlookers, consider sheer curtains or window film so you can still allow light inside. 

When you leave a lit room, make a conscious effort to turn the light off. If you struggle with this, consider using lights on a timer so you don't have to remember. You could also get lights controlled by apps.

If you prefer to leave one light on when you leave the house at night (as many do), make sure it's only that one. 

3. Switch to LED Lightbulbs

LED lightbulbs will make a huge difference when it comes to your energy usage and your overall impact on the environment. While you still shouldn't be leaving lights on all day long, LED lights are far more energy-efficient and less harmful.

LED bulbs use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Not only does this mean that you're saving energy when the lights are in use, but you also won't be buying new bulbs and sending old ones to landfills as often (which is bad for the environment as a whole).

You'll save money while you do your part to help the world. 

4. Upgrade to Efficient Appliances

If you live in an older home without any recent upgrades, it's likely that your appliances are outdated. While old appliances may still work well enough, they're definitely not efficient. 

This isn't to say that you should replace your appliances right away. It's generally better to continue using something for as long as possible rather than replace it, but when it comes time to replace something, opt for an energy-efficient option.

Home upgrades like this generally happen slowly over time, but each change will impact your energy usage in a big way. There's no rush!

5. Consider Solar Power

Going solar is a great idea for Florida residents. Solar power is the future. It's clean and renewable energy. 

Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that won't deplete. In this case, the energy comes from the sun. Because the sun won't be going away, you should never struggle to get enough power for your home.

Even on cloudy or rainy days, you should have more than enough energy stored from Florida's typically sunny and bright weather.

6. Seal Doors and Windows

Di you know that your doors and windows might be impacting your energy usage? 

On a hot day, you close your doors and windows to keep the hot air out, right? You can also keep the cold air conditioning in like this.

But what if there are gaps in your windows and doorways? Those gaps are letting your cold air out and the warm air in. Seal up those gaps!

7. Upgrade Your Insulation

Most people only think of insulation when it comes to keeping a home warm, but it really helps you maintain your indoor temperature regardless of if you want your home to be warm or cool.

A well-insulated home keeps the weather out. It's easier to cool off with an air conditioner so you don't have to run it as often. 

Do You Have an Energy-Efficient Home?

With these tips in mind, what are you going to change in order to have a more energy-efficient home in Florida? 

By modifying your energy usage you'll be able to save money on your energy bill and do your part for the environment. Many of these changes are quick and easy, so you can start today.

Why not start with window tinting? At Film Systems of Florida, we offer residential window tinting for Florida homeowners. Get a free estimate today.