KISSIMMEE, Fla., January 3, 2008 – Heating systems kicked into high gear this morning as temperatures plummeted across Central Florida.
Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) recorded a system peak of 274.8 megawatts at 7:16 a.m. Thursday, falling well short of the utility’s all-time winter peak of 296.5 megawatts set on Feb. 14, 2006.
KUA encourages its customers to use smart energy practices to keep their homes warm and heating systems working at peak efficiency. Heating costs can account for 25 percent to 50 percent of a home’s total energy expense, so KUA offers these tips for warmth and energy conservation:
* Set the thermostat at 68 degrees or the lowest temperature you find comfortable. For every degree you lower the setting, you can see a difference of up to three percent in energy costs.
* Check filters at least monthly and clean or change them as needed. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent and can damage equipment.
* Trim or remove grass, weeds, leaves and other obstacles from around the outdoor unit of your heating or cooling system. When airflow is blocked, it puts a strain on the system and lowers efficiency.
Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.
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Chris M. Gent
(407) 933-9836
cgent@kua.com
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