AUGUSTA, Ga. — The first real stretch of fall weather is settling over Augusta, and the region’s power companies are using it as a moment to remind households how to keep heating bills from creeping up.
The National Weather Service forecast for Augusta calls for sunny days in the low to mid 70s through midweek, but the nights are turning crisp. A low around 50 is expected Sunday night, then a low around 44 on Monday night, the coldest reading in the seven-day outlook. Afternoons warm again late in the week, with a high near 80 forecast for Friday.
Georgia Power suggests keeping the thermostat at or near 68 degrees and leaving the system running rather than shutting it off, since warming a cold house back up tends to use more energy. A programmable model can lower the setting while nobody is home and may trim roughly $100 a year from energy costs, and the utility offers rebates of up to $150 on qualifying smart thermostats.
Simple fixes also help. Weatherstripping around doors and windows cuts drafts, attic and wall insulation holds warm air in, and opening blinds during the day lets the sun do some of the heating before they are closed again at dusk.
For bigger projects, the utility’s Home Energy Improvement Program can cover half the cost of eligible upgrades, from new insulation and sealed ductwork to HVAC tune-ups and smart thermostats, up to $1,850 for a single-family home and $1,250 for a multifamily unit. Customers can also ask for a free in-home energy audit, where an adviser walks through the house and recommends changes.
Help is available for households on tight budgets. Georgia Power customers who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance, use Housing Choice Vouchers, or fall under income limits can apply to have $33.50 taken off each monthly bill. Seniors whose household income sits at no more than twice the federal poverty level are also eligible, and some income-qualified customers can get free efficiency work done by approved contractors.
Filed under: Augusta GA Weather News
