Alabama residents should brace for a blast of Arctic air this week, with temperatures expected to dip well below the state's winter norm.

When the mercury falls from an average low of 35 degrees to 20 degrees, energy usage can spike by as much as 50%, potentially leading to higher utility bills.

While changes in the weather are beyond anyone's control, Alabama Power wants to help customers stay safe and warm while keeping energy costs in check. According to a news release, the company offers tools and resources to monitor and manage energy usage, including the following:

My power usage: This tool lets customers view and manage their daily energy usage, track and compare usage over time and set alerts when specific dollar amounts are reached. Customers can enroll for free by signing into their account at www.AlabamaPower.com/MyPowerUsage or by downloading the Alabama Power mobile app.

Mobile app: The Alabama Power mobile app is available for download on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android devices. With the app, customers can manage accounts on-the-go, set alerts, monitor energy usage and access account information. Learn more at www.AlabamaPower.com/MobileApp.

Home energy checkup: Alabama Power offers a free online energy checkup for residential customers. The checkup, which takes about five minutes to complete, asks a series of questions tailored to the customer's home to identify how energy is used and provide suggestions to reduce usage and save money. Visit www.AlabamaPower.com/EnergyCheckup to get started.

Alabama Power also offers billing and payment options to help customers establish predictable power bills and even out seasonal highs and lows. Customers are encouraged to explore these options ahead of the colder weather:

Budget Billing: This free service lets customers pay an averaged bill each month based on annual use. Budget Billing helps stabilize seasonal variations in energy bills. Eligibility requirements apply. Learn more at www.AlabamaPower.com/BudgetBilling.

FlatBill: This optional residential rate plan offers a contracted fixed bill amount for 12 months based on a customer's previous year's usage at their current location. Customers receive a simple, predictable monthly bill with no surprises. Learn more at www.AlabamaPower.com/FlatBill.

Residential pricing and rate plans: Alabama Power's rate plans allow customers to potentially save money based on how and when they use electricity. Visit www.AlabamaPower.com/Rates to learn more and decide which plan suits your household.

Electronic Home Energy Reports (eHERS): This free monthly report compares a customer's energy usage over time, provides insights and shares tips to reduce energy use. After signing up, it takes about two months for the first report to be generated. Customers must be on the Family Dwelling residential rate plan with at least three months of load data to be eligible. Sign up at ehers.AlabamaPowerPrograms.com.

Additional information, including tips and resources for saving energy and money during extreme cold, is available at www.AlabamaPower.com/Winterize and www.AlabamaPower.com/WinterBill.