Energy efficiency and the summer heat

We have officially entered the usual summer pattern of weather in our 23-county service territory.

Daily temperatures are hovering in the mid-90s. When you factor in the humidity, it feels like it’s above 100 degrees for several hours a day.

Mississippi Power offers customers focused on energy efficiency the following tips to help them stay comfortable and save money during the hottest season of the year:

• Watch the thermostat: Set your thermostat to 78 degrees. You can expect a 3-5 percent increase in energy use for every degree you set the thermostat lower in the summer. Also, consider installing a programmable thermostat.
• Use fans wisely: Fans create a cooling effect and can make a room feel four degrees cooler. Turn ceiling fans off when not in the room to conserve energy.
• Check your A/C: Have your A/C serviced annually to ensure it’s running efficiently. When doing yard work, be sure to trim plants and cut grass near the A/C unit so it can receive proper air flow.
• Adjust the drapes: Make sure drapes, curtains and furniture don’t block air vents but do block sunlight, which can heat up a room drastically.

For most customers, the highest bills are in the summer, when you use air conditioning the most. With Mississippi Power’s Budget Billing, you can find comfort in knowing what to expect each month because you’ll pay roughly the same amount year-round. Budget Billing is not a discount program, but it allows you to better manage your monthly budget by keeping your monthly energy costs predictable and manageable.

To learn more about Budget Billing, click here.

For more energy-saving tips and information on rebates and incentives, please visit mississippipower.com.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.