Oh, those hot summer days can be brutal in apartments near Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. We often associate the sweltering heat with those astronomically-high utility bills; but that doesn't have to be the case! There are a few tips and tricks you can do that will help keep you cool and help your pockets stay stuffed!
Many people do not realize that lighting is one of the easiest places to start saving energy in FAMU apartments. Many upgraded or luxury communities may already install energy efficient light bulbs in all of their units, making it even easier to save energy and money. If this is important to you, make sure you ask your office before signing a lease. If your lighting is ENERGY STAR qualified, they typically use 75% less energy, last much longer and costs much less in utility usage. Even if your apartment does not have upgraded lighting, you can save money just by remembering to always turn off the lights when you leave a room. This includes ceiling fans. A little bit truly does go a long way!
Apartments near FAMU will most likely come with central air conditioning. If this is the case, make sure you adjust the temperature thermostat accordingly when you are away from home. If you properly set your thermostat at an energy-saving temperature when you are at work or attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, you will be surprised at how much your utility bill will decrease. You do not really need to be chilling an entire apartment if you are gone half of the day! Some communities may even offer programmable thermostats, which make it even easier for you to save on energy costs throughout the day. For an even easier way of staying cool, you don't even need air conditioning at all. Purchasing sun-blocking shades and keeping blinds closed will help block out the summer sun and heat.
Many people in FAMU apartments do not realize that consumer electronics play a very large role in your apartment's energy consumption. Many electronics will even continue to produce energy, even when switched off. One way to battle this is to unplug any electronics that are not in use. This can include any battery chargers, power adapters…especially cell phone chargers! You may also opt to using a power strip to use as a central turn-off point. If you use this to plug your larger electronics into, simply switching the power strip off while they're not in use will get you on the road to energy savings in no time!
Many residents do not realize that water consumption has a lot to do with their utility bill in apartments near FAMU. Since most hot water heaters are electric, be mindful when taking a hot shower or bath. Showers, in general, will produce much less water than a bath. On the other hand, if your unit has a washer and dryer, be mindful as to use cold water wash cycles as much as possible. Hot water heating actually accounts for approximately 90% of the energy your washing machine uses to wash a load of clothes – imagine the savings you could experience just by washing your clothes in cold water! On the other hand, when it comes to your dryer, be sure to not over-dry your clothes. Many units are equipped with a moisture sensor that will automatically turn the machine off once the clothes are dry. Even with newer and older models alike, cleaning the lint trap frequently is a very important energy saver. If the dryer is clogged with lint, it cannot provide enough air or heat to sufficiently dry the clothes. Making sure this is clean before each use will make your clothes drying experience much more efficient.