Georgia Power encourages customers to save through energy efficiency programs

Georgia Power is encouraging customers to use the company’s energy efficiency programs to save on their electric bills.

The company’s website includes tips on how customers can save money as well as available rebates, incentives, and other savings programs for both homes and businesses.

Among the tips, Georgia Power recommends that customers set thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer and use fans to keep cooler. For every degree higher the thermostat is set, the result is a 3 to 4 percent decrease in energy use. Among other summer savings tips, Georgia Power says: unplug your electronic devices when not in use and use smart power strips; use the oven sparingly; close your curtains and blinds during peak hours of the day to keep the sun’s heat out; and wash clothes in cold water with full loads, among other suggestions.

Georgia Power said that customers that participate in their energy saving programs have saved approximately $300 million over the past five years. Individuals can see reductions of up to 50 percent per month in energy use on some efficiency improvements.

The company also offers several rebates and incentives, including the Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP). HEIP provides rebates of 50 percent of the cost up to $600 per year for installing one or more qualifying individual energy efficiency measures, including air sealing, duct sealing, and attic insulation.

Georgia Power also has rebates for LED lighting and programmable Smart Thermostats. LED lights use up to 90 percent less energy than standard bulbs and can last up to 15 times longer while programmable Smart Thermostat can save about $180 per year in energy costs.