Alabama summers rank among the hottest in the United States, with an average temperature of around 92 degrees and humidity levels reaching the 70-75% range. As temperatures soar during the summer months, many Alabama residents use more energy and face the challenge of managing higher power bills.

While temperatures and humidity levels remain comfortable now, the hot days of summer are on the way. Alabama Power is encouraging customers to take proactive steps to enhance their home’s energy efficiency and help reduce their summer bills during the hot weather months by implementing some simple summerization tips.

  1. Schedule an Appliance/Equipment Checkup: Have a qualified technician perform checkups on your electric appliances and equipment, especially your air conditioning system. The results of these checkups could show ways to make your home and unit more energy efficient, increase the longevity of your electrical equipment and help prevent costly repairs in the future. Alabama Power suggests getting your HVAC system checked twice a year, once before you start running your air conditioner in the summer and once before the winter heating season.
  2. Feel the Comfort of Dehumidification: In Alabama’s hot summer climate, humidity can play a huge factor in the comfort of your home. When your home is more humid, it will feel warmer. In addition, if the humidity level in your home is above 60%, it can cause mold and mildew issues in rooms like basements. Investing in an energy efficient dehumidifier can help take some of the pressure off your home’s cooling unit and assist with keeping your home comfortable during hot summer days.
  3. Make Your Thermostat Work for You: Setting your thermostat as high as comfortably possible can help you save money this summer. The closer your home’s temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the less energy you will use. Increase your thermostat now to adjust and get ready to save energy. Also, installing a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature can help cut energy costs, especially during the summer peak hours of 1-7 p.m. when temperatures are the highest and customers are using electricity the most to cool their homes.
  4. Use Fans and Ventilation Systems: Use a fan to better circulate air and feel cooler. However, keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms, so turn the fan off when you leave the room. Also, make sure to use bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans to help remove hot air and humidity from your home and reduce the cooling load on your air conditioner.

In addition, Alabama Power wants to help customers stay comfortable and cool while also keeping energy costs in check by connecting them with tools and resources to monitor and manage energy usage. Customers should explore these options now so they can see the positive impacts on their bills when the hot weather hits.

  • Home Energy Reports: By signing up for our free electronic Home Energy Report, customers receive a monthly email that gives a detailed breakdown of their energy consumption, highlights the areas in their home that use the most power and offers personalized recommendations for saving. Learn more and sign up at eHers.AlabamaPowerPrograms.com.
  • My Power Usage: For a more real-time experience, customers can try the My Power Usage tool, which allows them to monitor their daily usage, set alerts, and more, helping them stay within their desired budget. Customers can go to AlabamaPower.com/MyPowerUsage to learn more.

For customers who need assistance weatherizing their homes, there are funds available through the Alabama Business Charitable Trust. Home Forward Grants are for income eligible families and provide up to $5,000 for energy efficiency optimization. Customers can learn more about these grants, the eligibility requirements and how to apply at AlabamaPower.com/PaymentAssistance.

Customers can get additional information on how to save energy and money this summer, including tips and other helpful resources, by visiting AlabamaPower.com/Summer.

If you have questions, would like to schedule an interview or need more information, please reach out to Alabama Power’s Media Relations Team at 205.257.4155. Thank you for helping Alabama Power better educate customers on the many ways they can take control of their power bills this summer.