Dog days

Beat the heat with practical changes

Summer in the South is hot, but the period heading into August is typically hotter than any other time of the year.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative has taken steps to make the dog days of summer a little more bearable for members by dropping the monthly energy charge a total of 15% since 2024. The latest decrease came in March, when the per kilowatt-hour rate on meter readings dropped to 0.0948.

The following are ways to save energy and money.

• Keep your thermostat set as high as comfortably possible. Aim for 75 degrees when you are at home, and 78 degrees while you’re away or asleep.
• Keep blinds closed during daylight hours, especially on the south side of your home and particularly any south-facing windows in the same room as your thermostat.
• Adjust ceiling fans to a low setting and turning toward the high side of the blades — typically counterclockwise. Moving air tends to feel 3 degrees cooler than stagnant air, regardless of the air temperature.
• Change air filters to make it easier for your air conditioner to circulate air.
• Schedule service for your HVAC unit every six months — once before winter and once before summer.
• Fix or replace faulty weatherstripping around doors and windows. If you can see light around your doors, you are wasting energy.
• Ensure your home’s attic and crawl space are properly insulated and meet the recommended insulation levels found at energy.gov.
• Consider replacing existing incandescent and fluorescent lighting with quality LED bulbs for year-round savings.
• Install a smart thermostat to save money by automatically adjusting temperature settings when you are away from home.
• Put on lighter clothes. If you turn up your thermostat a few degrees and wear cooler clothing, you can stay comfortable and save money.