After a hotter-than-normal August pushed up cooling demand across the state, Alabama Power is offering customers ways to stay cool while managing their energy use and costs.

Temperatures across Alabama last month ran up to 5 degrees warmer than August 2025, while cooling demand increased by as much as 40%, according to Alabama Power. The company said simple, low-cost changes can help reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort.

The National Weather Service reported Birmingham reached at least 90 degrees on 27 of the 31 days in August, compared with 17 days in August 2025. The city’s average temperature for the month was 82.9 degrees, compared with 79.5 degrees last August.

Alabama Power said the prolonged heat can force air conditioners to work harder and longer, increasing energy use and potentially leading to higher bills.

“We know a higher bill can be difficult for families already balancing groceries, school expenses, medical needs and other household costs,” said Alabama Power spokesperson Anthony Cook. “Our goal is to help customers stay cool and safe while using energy as efficiently as possible.”

Alabama Power offered seven tips for reducing energy use while staying cool:

1. Help your air conditioner work efficiently. Alabama Power said air conditioning is typically the biggest driver of summer energy use. Dirty air filters, leaks around doors and windows, direct sunlight and cooling empty rooms can make a system work harder. Raising the thermostat a few degrees when no one is home, closing blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day and using ceiling fans only when someone is in the room can help.
2. Adjust the thermostat. Alabama Power recommends keeping the thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as comfortably possible. According to the company, raising the thermostat 2 to 3 degrees can lower energy usage by up to 10%. Turning it up a few degrees while away and lowering it after returning can typically use less energy than maintaining the same indoor temperature throughout the day.
3. Cool only the rooms being used. For customers with window units, Alabama Power recommends cooling only occupied rooms. Fans can help people feel cooler, but they do not cool the room itself, so the company recommends turning them off when leaving.
4. Make low-cost improvements. Weatherstripping, draft stoppers, LED bulbs and inexpensive blackout curtains can help reduce heat gain and energy waste. LED bulbs use about 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, according to Alabama Power and the U.S. Department of Energy.
5. Take extra steps in older homes. Alabama Power recommends removable weatherstripping, draft stoppers, blackout curtains, smart power strips and regular air filter replacement. When possible, customers can also move laundry, dishwashing and cooking to the evening to reduce energy use during the hottest part of the day.
6. Keep track of energy use. Alabama Power said its rates are being held steady, meaning a higher-than-expected bill could be the result of increased energy use during hotter weather. The Alabama Public Service Commission approved a framework in December that keeps major rate components at current levels through 2027, absent extraordinary circumstances. Alabama Power also offers tools for customers to track their energy use, along with Home Energy Reports and rebates and incentives for smart thermostats.
7. Put health and safety first. Alabama Power said older adults, young children and people with medical conditions may be particularly vulnerable during extreme heat. If temperatures inside a home become unsafe, customers should seek cooling centers, assistance programs or other community resources.

“The best approach is efficiency, not discomfort,” Cook said. “Simple steps like changing a dirty air filter, closing blinds, using fans wisely and raising the thermostat when away can help customers manage costs while protecting their families during extreme heat.”

Additional information about energy-saving tips, billing options and available assistance is available at Alabama Power’s summer energy resources page, including its “20 Ways to Beat the Heat and Save.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].