As the season has shifted to more seasonably cooler temperatures in Georgia and South Carolina, now is a good time to seek ways to reduce energy use, lower utility costs and lessen environmental impacts.
Georgia Power, Dominion Energy and Duke Energy are among the energy companies that offer programs and resources ranging from income-qualified assistance and free home energy improvements to rebates, personalized recommendations and online energy management tools.
With cooler temperatures approaching, area residents can take steps to stay comfortable while reducing energy costs. Georgia Power recommends the following energy-saving tips.
Energy-saving tips
- Check insulation and seal air leaks: Proper insulation in attics and walls helps keep warm air inside and cold air outside. Weatherstripping doors and windows can reduce drafts and prevent energy loss.
- Adjust your thermostat: Setting your thermostat at or near 68 degrees can help balance comfort and energy costs. Avoid turning the system off completely because reheating a home often requires more energy. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust temperatures when residents are away and may save up to $100 annually in energy costs. Georgia Power also offers rebates of up to $150 for qualifying smart thermostats.
- Use natural sunlight: Open blinds and shades during the day to let sunlight warm your home naturally. Close them after sunset to help reduce heat loss through windows.
Energy-efficiency resources
- Free in-home energy audit: An energy adviser conducts a visual walkthrough and provides personalized recommendations to help identify opportunities to reduce energy use.
- Home Energy Improvement Program: Eligible customers may qualify for rebates covering 50% of improvement costs, up to $1,850 for single-family homes and up to $1,250 for multifamily units. Qualifying upgrades include insulation, duct sealing, HVAC maintenance, and smart thermostats.
- My Power Usage: The online tool allows customers to monitor hourly, daily, and monthly energy consumption. Users can track trends, download usage history, and receive customized alerts. Threshold alerts notify customers when energy use exceeds a selected target.
Additional support programs
- Income-Qualified Discount: Georgia Power customers who receive Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program or meet income requirements may qualify for a monthly bill discount of $33.50. Income-eligible seniors whose household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines also may qualify.
- Energy Assistance for Savings & Efficiency: Income-qualified customers may be eligible for free home energy improvements performed by qualified contractors. Available upgrades may include HVAC servicing, insulation improvements, smart thermostats, and other energy-efficiency measures.
For more information about preparing a home
for colder weather and Georgia Power's energy-efficiency programs, visit GeorgiaPower.com/Efficiency.
Energy-saving tips recommended by Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy offers instant rebates on smart home products. With an eligible smart thermostat, you can join Smart Thermostat Rewards, an energy-saving program that supports a more efficient and reliable electric grid. Customers can enroll with a thermostat and receive a $25 rebate for signing up, plus an additional $25 rebate each year they participate in the program. Income & Age Qualifying Energy Savings Programs provide no-cost energy-efficient upgrades to qualified customers.
You can also try these tips to lower bills:
- Turn off lights when you leave the room.
- Use dimmer switches, timers and three-way lamps.
- Close the damper in your fireplace when it's not in use.
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products, which verifies that these products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.
- Use a toaster oven instead of a large conventional oven, when possible.
- Boil water in a pot with a lid.
- Use pots and pans that fully cover the stove’s heating element.
- Keep your refrigerator set between 33-39 degrees, and your freezer as full as possible.
- Don’t place a refrigerator right next to an oven.
- Run the dishwasher only when full, and either use the energy-saving setting for drying or let dishes air dry.
- When doing laundry, use warm or cold water for washing and cold water for rinsing.
- Wash and dry full loads of clothes.
- Use an automatic clothes-drying cycle that senses when clothes are dry, instead of a timed cycle.
- Keep the dryer’s lint filter clean for greater efficiency.
- If you like to fall asleep to the television, set a sleep timer to turn it off.
- Make sure furniture and drapes aren’t blocking the air supply vents.
- Unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
- Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to reduce energy and hot water use.
- Repair leaky faucets.
- Turn off running water when shaving or brushing your teeth.
- Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket.
- Insulate water pipes coming from the water heater.
- Upgrade your attic insulation to a minimum R-value (the measure of insulation's ability to resist heat) of R-38, typically 12-14 inches of insulation.
- Insulate around recessed lights, attic doors, and other places where outdoor air could enter.
- Lower the water heater temperature to 120-125 degrees (or “medium” for gas models), and visually inspect the unit for leaks periodically.
For more information on programs, tips, and resources to help improve energy efficiency, visit www.domsavings.com.
Duke Energy tips cut back on energy usage
- Adjust your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature on warmer days and the lowest comfortable temperature on cooler days. A smart thermostat can make these adjustments automatically.
- Schedule a free Home Energy House Call to identify ways to improve your home's energy efficiency.
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible to reduce energy used by your water heater.
- Take advantage of cooler fall temperatures by cooking in the morning or evening when possible. On warmer afternoons, using an air fryer, slow cooker or outdoor grill can help reduce the amount of heat added to your home.
- Change ceiling fans to spin clockwise during cooler months to help circulate warm air.
- Use blinds and window coverings strategically. Close them during warmer days to help block heat and open them on cooler days to let sunlight warm your home.
- Earn rebates with Smart $aver when you upgrade eligible home systems, attic insulation or ductwork.
For more information on programs, tips, and resources to help improve energy efficiency, visit Duke Energy at www.duke-energy.com/Home/Billing/Seasonal-Bills.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: How Augusta residents can lower energy bills as cooler weather arrives
