How to cut your bills during the coming heat wave

Summer has arrived in Jacksonville in a big way. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures in the 90s through at least Thursday, with a heat index in the high 90s or low 100s.

That kind of heat can burn a hole in your wallet. So JEA is reminding people about ways to cut their utility bills through conservation.

Small changes

• Avoid going in and out of the home repeatedly to keep cool air in and hot air out. 
• Use the washer with full loads using cold water. 
• Try grilling outside, using the microwave or cooking with a Crockpot or InstantPot instead of the stove or oven. Small appliances typically use less energy and keep the kitchen cool. 

Get more tips from JEA’s Ways to Save section: jea.com/save. 

Air conditioning

• Set the thermostat at 78 to 80 degrees in the summer, higher when you are not home. A five-degree shift can save you 6% to 8% per degree in the summer. 

Article continues below


More from Jax Today



Summer officially starts at 10:42 p.m. tonight



Marva Johnson approved as new FAMU president



Funding slashed for Florida land preservation program

Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
• Use insulated drapes, blinds or shades on your windows and close them during the hottest part of the day. Efficient use of window shading can save you up to 12% on the cooling portion of your utility bill in the summer. 
• Seal leaks in the cooling ducts. Don’t forget the leaks around the air handler unit. Sealing leaks in ductwork can save you 1% to 30% on the cooling portion of your utility bill, based upon the size of the leak. 
• Weather strip doors and windows. Repair or replace broken or cracked windows. Weather stripping windows and doors can save you up to 8% on the cooling portion of your utility bill. 
• Install a programmable thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat can save 5% to 15% on the cooling portion of your utility bill. 

Water conservation

• Water leaks, especially in running toilets, are the No. 1 reason customers see their consumption increase. Identify and fix any running toilets. Get two toilet leak tablets in a free JEA Water Conservation Kit. 
• Inspect sprinkler heads. A broken one can waste 25,000 gallons of water in six months. 
• Direct spray to your yard, not your sidewalk. 

JEA provides free in-home assessments to help customers conserve energy and reduce water use and thus reduce their JEA bills.  Energy auditors inspect homes to determine whether behavioral changes or new equipment could help reduce energy costs.

To schedule a free energy or irrigation assessment, call 904-665-6000. 

Billing

JEA offers a variety of billing and payment options for residential and business customers, including payment assistance. Options include:

• MyBudget: This levelized billing program averages your past usage so your bill is about the same each month. Learn more about MyBudget 
• Monitor usage: Customers can monitor their daily electric usage through their account on JEA.com or on the My JEA app. This way, customers can make decisions about conservation if they see usage increasing.  
• Payment Assistance: For those customers who need extra help, JEA offers extensions and arrangements and can point the way to third-party groups that offer utility bill assistance. Jea.com/assistance