Homes Many homeowners in Southwest Florida choose to reside elsewhere during the warm summer months. Even though they are not in their homes, operating appliances and consuming power, their home has ongoing energy needs. Some appliances, like ovens and clothes dryers, are selective-use devices, consuming no power unless used for specific task. Other appliances, like refrigerators and pool pumps, are automatic and will continue to use power as long as they are plugged in. The chart to the left estimates the use of common automatic appliances.
Refrigerators are major users of electricity.
In fact, the high heat levels in an empty house will usually cause refrigerators to use more energy than they would in an active household. This provides for the lowest possible cost, while at the same time safeguarding the continued operation of the refrigerator. Many unoccupied homes need a small amount of air conditioning every day throughout the summer for humidity control. Without daily air conditioning, high summer humidity can accumulate indoors and give rise to mold or mildew. Mold and mildew can grow nearly anywhere if the relative humidity is consistently 70 percent or higher.