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The Temporary Storm Surcharge Ends in September, Lowering Your Electric Costs.

The temporary storm surcharge that was added to bills after the 2024 hurricane season will be removed in September. This means residential and most small business customers’ bills will go down by $19.95 per 1,000 kWh each month, translating to approximately 11 to 12% lower bills. Customers who use more energy will see even greater savings. 

If you’re enrolled in Budget Billing, savings are reflected more gradually because monthly payments are based on a prior 12‑month average to keep bills predictable and stable. As a result, Budget Billing payments will not drop immediately on September 1; they will adjust over time as lower costs are factored into payment reviews.

 

Energy-Efficiency Tips for Home

The energy experts at Tampa Electric developed these energy-efficiency tips to help you better manage your home’s energy costs. 

To get started on your energy-saving journey, we recommend completing a free Energy Audit to pinpoint where you can save the most. Visit our Energy Audit page and choose the energy audit that’s right for you:

Water Heating Laundry Kitchen Lighting Other

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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.

 

Discover More Ways to Save—In 30 Seconds or Less

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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.

 

Discover More Ways to Save—In 30 Seconds or Less

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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.

 

Discover More Ways to Save—In 30 Seconds or Less

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Additional Resources

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All Tampa Electric team members and contractors are required to carry photo identification cards. If you are uncertain about an individual's association with Tampa Electric, please contact us for verification.