Georgia Power shares ways to cut summer energy bills

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - With summer temperatures rising across Georgia, Georgia Power is encouraging customers to use free and low-cost tools to help reduce energy use and manage monthly bills.

The company shared several energy-saving tips for the hotter months, including changing air filters regularly, sealing gaps around windows and doors, using LED light bulbs and running large appliances during off-peak hours before 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m.

Georgia Power is also encouraging customers to use online tools like “My Power Usage,” which tracks electricity use by the hour, day or month, along with Threshold Alerts that notify customers when energy use nears a selected limit.

Eligible customers may also qualify for the company’s EASE Program, which offers free home energy improvements including attic insulation, heating and cooling servicing and LED light bulbs. Households earning 200% or less of federal poverty guidelines may qualify.

The company says customers needing help paying bills can also find local assistance programs through GeorgiaPower.com/Assistance and partnerships like Project Share through The Salvation Army.

Georgia Power also announced a proposed agreement with the Georgia Public Service Commission that could lower bills for many customers beginning in June. If approved, a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month could save about $4 monthly, or nearly $50 annually.