With Alabama’s summer heat and humidity approaching, households across the state are preparing for higher temperatures and rising energy use that often leads to bigger power bills.

The official start of summer is just weeks away, and Alabama Power said many customers are already increasing electricity consumption to keep homes cool. That seasonal spike comes on top of year-round demand. According to Alabama Power, households in the state use about 30% more electricity than the U.S. average, driven largely by climate conditions and heavy reliance on electric heating and cooling.

As usage rises, Alabama Power said it understands the strain higher energy consumption can place on families. The company has frozen its rates and is offering practical guidance aimed at helping customers manage costs while staying comfortable, per Alabama Power.

One of the simplest adjustments involves thermostat settings. Alabama Power said it is best practice to keep thermostats as close to the outside temperature as comfort and health allow, since smaller differences reduce the amount of energy used when air conditioning systems cycle on.

Preventive maintenance is another key step. The company recommends having a certified technician inspect appliances, particularly HVAC systems, before peak summer heat arrives to ensure they are operating efficiently.

Alabama Power also encourages customers to consider installing smart thermostats. According to Alabama Power, these devices track indoor humidity, which can make a home feel warmer than it is, and allow users to program temperature schedules that may help reduce both energy use and costs.

Simple home maintenance can also make a difference. Sealing cracks or gaps around doors and windows with weather stripping or caulk can limit air leaks. A lower-cost option is placing a rolled towel along drafty openings. The company also advises changing air filters monthly since clogged filters force HVAC systems to work harder, especially in homes with pets that add dander and hair.

Day-to-day habits matter as well. Closing blinds and shades during peak sunlight hours can help keep indoor temperatures down. Fans can improve comfort by circulating air, but Alabama Power said they are designed to cool people, not rooms, and should be turned off when no one is present.

To help customers track and manage usage, Alabama Power is promoting several tools and services. The Alabama Power Mobile App allows users to manage accounts, make payments, monitor energy use through My Power Usage, report outages, view outage maps and receive personalized alerts.

The company also offers Electronic Home Energy Reports, or eHERs, which are provided monthly at no cost. According to Alabama Power, the reports compare household energy usage over time, offer insights based on consumption patterns and provide recommendations to reduce energy use. After signing up, it takes about two months for reports to begin arriving by email.

Customers can enroll by visiting ehers.AlabamaPowerPrograms.com and entering a house or PO box number, ZIP code and last name. Alabama Power noted customers must be on the Family Dwelling residential rate plan and have three months of load data to qualify.

Additional online tools include Bill Explainer, Rate Advisor and Energy Assistant, which help customers understand bills, explore rate options and find energy assistance resources. These tools are available at www.alabamapower.com/summer.

Alabama Power said the resources are designed to give customers greater control over the main factor driving their bills: energy usage.