Beat the heat: How to reduce your summer power bill in Georgia
Deposit Photos
Last year, the Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously approved the 12% rate hike requested by Georgia Power. Starting June 1, 2023, electricity rates got higher — in conjunction with the arrival of summer and our sizzling Atlanta temperatures.
We’ve read a conservative estimate that the average monthly bill went up by $16. But if you’re one of those ‘cool cats’ who likes to maintain a chilly home in summer, you may see your summer power bill soar, along with the mercury in the thermometer.
Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce your monthly power bills.
Here are a few ideas that may work for you, including some you may not have considered in the past.
Fans make you feel cooler by creating a wind chill effect. (Deposit Photos)
It really is about the thermostat
You’ve heard it before — Georgia Power recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summertime to help decrease energy consumption.
Yet many people don’t feel comfortable at 78, or find that their bedrooms stay warmer than the living areas. So this may not sound like feasible advice to you.
Still, don’t discount your thermostat altogether.
If you don’t already have a smart thermostat or a programmable thermostat, maybe now is the time to install one. You can set a schedule so your home stays a few degrees warmer while you’re out, but cools off sufficiently by the time you arrive home.
Some smart thermostats will learn your patterns and your schedule, to make small changes in temperature setting when you’re least likely to notice or feel too warm as a result.
You can get an instant rebate on a smart thermostat if you buy through the GA Power Marketplace — see the info in the Rebates section below for details.
TIP:
If you have a yearly maintenance plan for your furnace and AC unit, have your new smart thermostat installed during the service call to save on installation costs.
Shop for smart thermostats on Amazon (affiliate link)
Consider changing your rate plan
GA Power customers may be able to lower their summer bills by choosing a customized rate plan. We’re listing a few options, and you can learn more online about each plan option.
Keep in mind that a custom rate plan is likely to come with a contract, with a penalty for early termination.
Make sure you understand the terms completely before you sign up with GA Power.
- Residential Service: This is the standard rate plan for residential customers, with bills that fluctuate each month according to your usage.
- FlatBill: With this plan, you pay the same amount each month, according to a fixed, contracted price. At the end of each 12-month period, your next year’s rate is calculated, based on predictions about the weather and your usage patterns.
- PrePay: This plan allows you to pay for your power as you go, rather than receiving a monthly bill. You deposit funds into your account, and your cost is deducted each day as you use electricity. The advantage in this plan is that it allows you to adjust your daily habits and energy use to fit your budget. It also allows you to pay off a high summertime balance over time. There’s no deposit or credit check.
- Nights & Weekends Plan: If you’re able to shift most of your energy usage to off-peak hours, you can save money. But it’s a bit of a gamble — if you don’t shift your usage, it’s possible you’ll have a higher bill on this plan.
Understand your usage patterns
Georgia Power has updated the My Power Usage tool this summer. It allows you to track your daily energy usage by day and by the hour. This may help you to project monthly bills and possibly manage your energy budget by using certain appliances only at off-peak energy hours (your washer, dryer, dishwasher, or oven, for example).
Take advantage of flexible payment options
Georgia Power also offers different payment options to help you manage high summertime bills.
These options include:
- Budget Billing: With this option, your bill is averaged over a 12-month period, making it easier to budget for your power bills. It is based on the standard residential rate plan — not on a customized rate like FlatBill. It is available to customers with good credit.
- Payment Arrangements: If you’re having trouble paying your summer power bill, Georgia Power offers payment arrangements to help you catch up.
- Pick a Due Date: You may be able to adjust the date your power bill arrives each month. This can help you manage your cash flow. Just call GA Power customer service to get started.
- Automatic Payments: If you tend to be absentminded about paying bills, automatic payments can help you avoid late fees that jack up your power bill.
You can learn more about billing and payment options on the GA Power website.
Check out these rebates and assistance programs
Georgia Power offers a variety of rebates, assistance programs, and incentives to help you save energy and money.
Here are some programs you might be interested in for yourself, or to share with a friend or relative who might benefit.
- Senior Citizen Discount:
If you’re 65 or older and have a combined household income of $29,160 or less, you may qualify for a discount on your electric bill. - Energy Bill Assistance Programs:
Georgia Power partners with nonprofit and faith-based organizations to provide energy bill assistance to low-income customers. - Home Energy Improvement Program:
HEIP offers rebates and incentives for home energy upgrades, such as insulation, air sealing, and duct sealing. Currently, you can get up to $300 back for making improvements thru HEIP. - Solar and Hydroelectric:
Georgia Power has resources for homeowners who install solar panels or small hydroelectric systems on their property. - Energy Assistance for Savings & Efficiency:
The EASE program offers free home energy improvements to low income GA Power customers, and you can apply online. - GA Power Marketplace:
Shop online and get instant rebates on smart thermostats, LED bulbs, electric vehicle chargers, power strips, and smart home devices.
The heat wave is coming! (Deposit Photos)
Reduce your summer energy use painlessly
When the Georgia summertime heat is at its peak, you can’t help but run the AC all day and night. Still, there are some things you can do to reduce energy use and save money on your power bill.
♦ Thermostats
If you can, set your thermostat a couple degrees higher than your preference, and then use fans to keep yourself feeling cooler. For every degree higher you maintain for an 8-hour period, you can save up to 3% on your cooling costs.
♦ Air Vents and Filters
Set reminders to change your air filters as often as is recommended for your unit. A blocked filter reduces efficiency and costs you more in the long run.
And make sure your cooling vents are clear of any obstructions, like furniture or drapes. Don’t block that airflow!
Alternatively, you can attach air deflectors, extenders, or directional vent covers to your vents to help maximize the flow of cool air.
Shop for directional vent attachments on Amazon (affiliate link)
Improve air flow from vents with deflectors or extenders. (Photo: AOTC)
♦ Curtains and Blinds
Close curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day to block out the sun’s heat. You may even want to invest in insulated draperies that help you feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
♦ Fans
Ceiling fans can help to circulate cool air throughout your home. They help to cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. You can also use portable fans to create a cool breeze in specific areas of your home.
TIP:
This small, rechargeable fan from Amazon is ultra-portable and wireless. It’s perfect for a nightstand, kitchen counter, child’s room, or desktop — and it is incredibly useful during a power outage in the summer heat! It comes in several colors and two sizes. We use it, and we love it! (Affiliate link)
♦ Electronics and Appliances
This is a tip for those who really want to go the extra mile to save money on summer power bills: Unplug electronics and appliances when they’re not in use, to reduce phantom energy loss. You can also use a smart power strip that detects when electronics are not in use and automatically turns off.
♦ Off-peak Energy Usage
Using electricity during off-peak hours can help to reduce your energy bill. For example, run the washer, dryer, and dishwasher overnight when electricity rates are lower. Better yet, consider an old-timey outdoor clothesline or a drying rack that you can set up under a ceiling fan.
And for goodness sake, don’t even think about turning on your oven during the summer! You’ll heat up the house, and then spend money to cool it off again. Use an air fryer, microwave, Instant Pot, or slow cooker for summer meals — or grill outside on your deck or patio.
Shop for air fryers on Amazon (affiliate link)
♦ Insulation and Weather Stripping
One of the most effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to make sure it is well insulated and sealed against air leaks. This will help keep cool air in during the summer and warm air in during the winter. Here are some things you can do:
- Add insulation to your attic, walls, and floors to reduce heat transfer.
- Seal air leaks around doors and windows with weather stripping and caulking.
- Install insulated doors and windows to keep the summer heat at bay.
Online Energy Checkup
Georgia Power offers a FREE online energy checkup that can help you identify ways to save energy and money. The checkup takes about 10 minutes to complete and provides a personalized report with energy-saving recommendations. You can access the energy checkup on Georgia Power’s website.
And that’s all folks!
Have a happy and safe summer — and save money with our Weekly List of Free & Cheap Things To Do, all summer long.
Reduce your summer power bill by preparing meals with the grill, air fryer, microwave, Instapot, or slow cooker. (Deposit Photos)
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- Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
- 4th of July fireworks and celebrations
