Gulfport, Miss. – With temperatures across South Mississippi expected to reach 90 degrees and above for the next 10 days, Mississippi Power wants to remind customers of steps they can take right now to help beat the heat and get the most value for their energy dollar.

“In the heat of summer, there are several steps customers can take at little or no cost to reduce the impact of the hot weather on their power bills,” Jeff Shepard, Mississippi Power spokesman, said.

Some of the summer-specific energy tips from Mississippi Power include:

Central air conditioning: Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. 78 degrees is the lowest recommended summer setting for most people. But remember, each degree the setting is lowered increases the amount of electricity used. Also, change air conditioner filters at least once a month to make sure the unit runs most efficiently.

Ceiling fans: Ceiling fans require much less electricity than air conditioners and can make a room feel more comfortable at a higher thermostat setting that will save energy. When ceiling fans are placed near air conditioning vents, the cool air is distributed faster and over a larger area.

Outside Unit: Don’t let trash or weeds block the air flow around the outside air conditioning unit. Have your unit cleaned and checked at least once a year for optimum efficiency and performance.

Proper insulation: Make sure your home is adequately insulated. Proper insulation will guard against unnecessary energy loss.

Water heater: Set the water heater no higher than 130 degrees for average use. 140 degrees is sometimes recommended for automatic dishwashers. Repair dripping hot water faucets, they waste a lot of energy and water daily. Flush the sediment from your water heater once a year by drawing several buckets of water from the faucet on the bottom of the water heater.

Appliances: If major heat-producing appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers are located in air-conditioned space, running them at night or early morning when it is cooler can save energy.

For more energy savings tips or for information on Mississippi Power’s customer assistance programs, customers are encouraged to visit misssissippipower.com, call our 24/7 Customer Service line at 1-800-532-1502, or visit a local Mississippi Power office.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts, is the 2013 winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award. As a leader in safety, Mississippi Power ranked first in the 2013 Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE) Safety Performance Reports. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.
 

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