Southern : No need to sweat your power bill with summer’s arrival and soaring temperatures

Gulf Power News

For immediate release - June 21, 2018

No need to sweat your power bill with summer's arrival and soaring temperatures

Sizzling summer-like temperatures coupled with heat indices exceeding 100 degrees arrived well ahead of the first day of summer, today.

That has Gulf Power customers already cranking up their cooling systems to beat the heat, and likely worrying about their power bill.

'Extended days of above average hot weather can lead to higher energy bills,' said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. 'There are immediate actions customers can take today to take control of their power bill, like adjusting their thermostat as high as comfortably possible. Almost half of the energy in your home goes to cooling.'

As we enter summer, typically one of the peak energy usage seasons, we want to point out five top tips that are free and can be used on a daily basis that helps customers control their power usage:

1. Windows: Keep your blinds and drapes closed during the day to prevent heat gain.
2. Thermostat: The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. The standard energy industry recommendation is to set your thermostat to 78 degrees. For every degree below 78 degrees, you'll use 5-10 percent more energy to cool your home.
3. Fans: Ceiling fans offer an inexpensive alternative to setting the thermostat to a lower temperature because fans make you feel several degrees cooler without lowering the temperature in the room - all while using a fraction of the energy consumed by the A/C. Set the fan to turn counter-clockwise in the summer and be sure to turn it off when leaving the room.
4. Appliances and lights: Avoid using the oven during the summer and, instead, cook on the grill, use the microwave or stove top, or even meals that don't require cooking. Replace heat-producing incandescent light bulbs with cooler and energy efficient lighting.
5. Off peak hours: Avoid running washers and dryers and dish washers during the peak demand time during the day and, instead, do these and other energy-demanding activities at night. Gulf Power's Energy Select program makes this energy savings habit easier.

'Another way for customers to keep their summer power bill from busting their budget, is by signing up for Budget Billing,' said Blair. 'Budget Billing allows customers to budget their personal finances more effectively. And better yet, customers know their approximate energy bill before it is received.'

Budget Billing is a free service that averages the highs and lows of your electric bills by giving you an average price to pay each month when you meet certain eligibility requirements. It's easy to plan for your monthly energy bill when you don't have to worry about 'surprise' summer energy bills.

For more comprehensive energy-savings tips, check out: Prevent hot summer months from scorching your energy bill with hot weather tips and visit GulfPower.com.

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About Gulf Power
Company. Gulf Power serves more than 460,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company's mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company's Facebook,Instagram and Twitter pages. News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.

Rick DelaHaya

Media Relations Supervisor

850-444-3205, cell 318-294-2338

Kimberly Blair

Media Relations

850-444-6050, cell 850-206-5132

Gordon Paulus

Media Relations

850-444-6320, cell 850-525-7510