JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Get ready, Northeast Florida… we could have our first frost of the fall next week!
Our low temperatures are expected to drop into the mid to low 30s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Chief Meteorologist Richard Nunn says to expect a wind chill bite, but then afternoon highs on Wednesday will rebound to near 70 degrees!
All of these changes could mean a lot of ups and downs on your thermostat, but local utilities warn against making big swings on that dial – because they could affect your wallet.
The trick is not to raise your thermostat more than one or two degrees at a time if you have central heating – any more and your auxiliary heat system gets triggered. Using that for more than 12 hours a day can add up to $15 a day on your bill, according to Florida Power & Light!
Utilities also advise setting your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower because heating systems can be big energy users. FPL says every degree below 68 could save you 5% on heating costs.
Admittedly, that could feel pretty chilly for native Floridians.
So how can you keep warm while still turning your thermostat down?
Electric blankets and space heaters can keep you warm in smaller areas instead of heating the whole house. But be safe with these! Turn them off when you leave the room and keep pets and kids at least 3 feet away from them.
According to FPL, using a space heater costs about $3 a day.
Did you know that which way your ceiling fan turns matters? There should be a switch on it showing which setting is meant for cooler days. Reversing the direction will push warm air down and circulate the heat.
You can also use natural sunlight, seal your home by closing vents and doors, and clear airways so nothing is blocking your system. And JEA recommends changing air handler filters regularly. Most filters are designed to last 30 days, but some might last longer.
FPL & JEA also offer more money-saving advice for customers:
And JEA customers can take advantage of free efficiency assessments, irrigation assessments and water conservation kits.