ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As the cooler fall weather arrives, Georgia Power reminds residential customers to take advantage of a rebate up to $50 simply for having their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system serviced by a qualified, licensed and approved HVAC technician. As much as 50 percent of monthly energy use can be attributed to heating and cooling the home and inefficient systems can cost customers hundreds of dollars in additional energy costs every year. Having a home's HVAC system professionally serviced once a year increases efficiency and delivers energy savings year-round.

Servicing a home's HVAC system can take just a few hours and can include various tests to ensure the unit's internal parts are functioning correctly, a filter check and a refrigerant charge if needed. The service will likely also include clearing the drain and cleaning the unit thoroughly inside and out.

Other energy-saving tips to optimize HVAC operation and to save money and energy include:

• Maximize the efficiency of your units by changing the filters once a month, or every three months for pleated filters.
• Install a programmable thermostat such as a Nest thermostat, that automatically adjusts temperature settings to your lifestyle. Upgrade and save up to $100 a year in energy costs. Plus, be eligible for Georgia Power rebates of up to $100.
• Do not place lamps, TV sets or other heat-producing devices beneath a wall-mounted thermostat as rising heat from that equipment may result in false readings.

Georgia Power customers can qualify for the Residential HVAC Service Program rebate by having a qualified contractor conduct a diagnostic assessment on the system during appropriate weather conditions, make improvements that meet the minimum program requirements and perform a post-test assessment using program approved resources. To learn more and participate in the program, click here.

Saving Made Easy

Georgia Power encourages customers to find even more ways to save by accessing energy saving tools and resources online at GeorgiaPower.com/Save, including hundreds of easy energy tips, a free online energy checkup and a variety of rebates and incentives for both homes and businesses. The company also offers customers a single, convenient online portal featuring the most popular energy saving and smart home products, such as LED lighting and smart thermostats, at GeorgiaPowerMarketplace.com. Finally, step-by-step instructions for the do-it-yourselfer are easy to find on Georgia Power's YouTube Channel.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power