MGN LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The summer months are often when your electric bill is the highest, so WINK NEWS Call for Action asked local electric companies how you can reduce your bill. Doug Barker is the Supervisor of Energy Services of LCEC, the Lee County Electric Cooperative. He said the number one way to cut down on costs is to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. “Just remember air conditioning can be 50 to 60-percent of your electrical bill, so it’s very important to take measures to control that consumption as best you can. We strongly recommend keeping your temperature in the home at 78 degrees. For every degree under 78 degrees, it’s going to cost you anywhere from 8 to 12-percent per degree,” Barker explained. He recommended to keep a fan running when you are in the room to help keep cool. Barker said pool pump motors will also add to the cost of your bill. He recommended running your pump six hours. He also recommended keeping your water heater temperature at 120 degrees, turning off lights when you are not in a room and waiting to run the dishwasher until it is full. He said all the little things will add up. Another money saving idea? Barker said LCEC offers a service known as Surge Sense. “You want to do everything you can do to protect yourself against transient surge. What they are is short duration, high voltage spikes introduced into the electrical systems. Those are the things that can burn out your sensitive electronics. and wear away at the lifetime of your appliances.” Barker said often you have no idea when the surges happen because they are so short and they do not have to be during storms, but they can fry an appliance. You can lease or buy the surge protection through LCEC. The total cost to buy the product is $188.50. Florida Power and Light offers a similar service. Both companies have more tips online on how to save money, click here for LCEC or here for FLP.