Electric utility customers will likely experience higher electric bills for January due to the recent unusually cold temperatures. According to the Georgia Public Service Commission, December 2009 was 30 percent colder than December 2008. January was even colder, leading many electric utility members to increase their electric consumption.

According to climatological data from the Atlanta Weather Bureau, there were 38 days with below normal temperatures between Dec. 1 and Jan. 14. There were 11 continuous days in January when the average temperature did not get above freezing.  Since last year Atlanta experienced a mild winter and this one has been colder than normal, customers may notice a substantial difference if they compare their power bills this January with the previous year’s bill. It took 26 percent more heat to heat your home in January 2010 than in January 2009.

Utility customers also took a hit in December, when it took 113 percent more heat to heat homes than in November. All but seven days in December had below normal temperatures, according to Atlanta Weather Bureau statistics.

GreyStone Power Corporation helps its members weather the cost of lower temperatures by recommending a thermostat setting of 68 degrees or lower in the winter. “Each degree setting that is higher in the winter can result in five to eight percent more in energy costs,” says Rudy Echols, Department Manager of Residential Marketing.  “Setting your thermostat back at night or when you are away by several degrees will save energy dollars.

“The cost of heating and cooling a home represents the largest portion of the utility bill – 50 percent or even more in many cases. If you are away for several days, set your thermostat to 55 degrees in the winter (to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting),” adds Echols.

 To find out more about energy-saving steps that can add up to big savings around the house, visit www.togetherwesave.com. “We want to do all we can to help our GreyStone members keep their electricity costs manageable. We also have a booklet on energy tips that can be requested by calling 770-942-6576,” says Echols. “It is also available on the GreyStone web site.”