Cold Weather

• Service your heating system annually and adjust for maximum efficiency.
• Have your duct system sealed.
• If your home will be unoccupied for more than four hours, turn off the heating. 
• Set thermostats at 68 degrees or lower in winter.
• When using heat, lower your nighttime thermostat at least 10 degrees for 8 to 10 hours and save 10 percent to 20 percent on heating costs.
• Consider a new ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat. Get an ENERGY STAR® smart thermostat rebate from Tampa Electric.
• Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms only. Set them to rotate clockwise.
• Change filters monthly and make sure they are installed facing the correct direction (look for directional arrows on the side of the filter).
• Close fireplace dampers when not in use.
• Close shades and drapes at night to keep heat inside.
• Ensure windows and doors are properly weather-stripped.

Earn a Tampa Electric rebate when you replace your old, inefficient Heating and Cooling system with a new, energy-efficient heat pump that meets our energy-saving standards. We also offer an incentive when you have your ductwork inspected and sealed. Ask our energy experts to set up a pre-approval inspection.

Water Heating

• Install heat recovery water heating and save 35 percent to 55 percent on water heating costs with a central air conditioner.
• Install flow-restricting devices in showers and faucets.
• Lower water heater thermostat settings to 120 degrees.
• Replace your water heater with a heat pump system.
• Turn off your water heater when your home is vacant for two or more days.
• Drain your water heater and flush sediment out of the tank each year.
• Insulate exposed hot water lines.
• Limit shower length to five to seven minutes.
• Fix dripping faucets.

Laundry

• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Do only full laundry loads or adjust the water level accordingly.
• Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load.
• Make sure that the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when the dryer is off.
• Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to the inside wall fitting.
• Make sure your dryer’s vent hose is not kinked or clogged.

Kitchen

• Fix damaged refrigerator door seals.
• Replace old appliances with high-efficiency models.
• Clean refrigerator coils every three months.
• Switch your refrigerator’s power-saver to “ON,” if available.
• Set your refrigerator temperature to 34 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature to zero to five degrees Fahrenheit.
• Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.
• Use a microwave, air fryer and/or instant pot for cooking when possible.
• Let hot food cool before storing it in a refrigerator.
• Only run the dishwasher when fully loaded.

Lighting

• Replace standard incandescent bulbs with efficient light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs).
• Turn off unnecessary lighting.
• Install automatic timers and/or motion sensors on indoor and outdoor lighting.

Other

• Seal leaks in your attic, fireplace and around electrical outlets.
• Shade windows or install reflective materials to windows that face east and west.
• Caulk and/or weather-strip windows and doors.
• Insulate walls, ceilings, and crawl spaces that are opposite unconditioned areas (ask about our insulation rebate).
• Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.
• Turn off TVs, radios, gaming systems and stereos when not in use.
• Turn off pool pumps and/or heater when not needed and adjust timer to operate 6-8 hours in summer and 4-6 hours in winter.
• Insulate electric wall plugs and wall switches with foam pads.
• Caulk along baseboards with sealant.
• Ensure all new appliances you purchase are approved by ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. government program that encourages energy savings through the use of efficient appliances. Visit energystar.gov for more information.

Tampa Electric offers rebates for implementing stand-alone measures that can add to the comfort of your home and decrease energy costs.