ATLANTA— As the demand for electricity continues to increase, Georgia Power is looking for ways to provide options to its customers for managing their consumption of electricity. As part of that effort, Georgia Power is expanding its Power Credit program to its residential customers outside of metro Atlanta.

Georgia Power first introduced Power Credit last July offering the program to more than 500,000 residential customers in metro Atlanta. The program is now available to Georgia Power residential customers who live outside the metro Atlanta area in owner-occupied, single-family homes.

Power Credit is an electricity demand-saving service designed to efficiently control the amount of electricity a residential customer’s air conditioner uses during peak demand periods in the summer months. The program helps Georgia Power meet demand and lower its overall cost to serve customers during peak periods.

The Power Credit program has been certified and approved by the Public Service Commission. The program provides residential customers, who participate, financial compensation for allowing Georgia Power to reduce their electric usage during weekdays in the summer, which is when Georgia Power experiences high electricity demand.

Customers who participate in Power Credit will receive a one-time $20 credit on their electricity bill and a $2 credit for each activation that occurs between May and September.

Georgia Power anticipates as many as 10 activations in a typical summer. Activation of the switch will depend on the weather and the system-wide demand for electricity.

At no charge to the customer, Georgia Power will install a switch outside of the customer’s home that will be connected to their air conditioning unit. The switch, when activated by Georgia Power, will reduce the amount of electricity used by the air conditioner during peak periods, when the demand for electricity is high, weekdays between noon and 7 p.m. The customer must remain in the program for at least 12 months.

“Power Credit is a plus for Georgia Power customers and the company,” said Don Conoly, director of products and services. “It helps Georgia meet its future energy needs, and it helps Georgia Power keep its rates low.”

For more information or to sign up for Power Credit please log on to georgiapower.com/powercredit or call 1-800-843-4916.