ROANOKE, Va., July 21, 2011 - A heat wave that's already broken 55 record highs in the United States has Appalachian Power customers cranking up the air conditioning. Fans are kept whirring as customers try to beat the heat, but staying cool now could mean a higher electric bill later.  

           "As temperatures climb, air conditioners and fans have to work harder and use more energy to keep homes cool," said Jaime Beckelhimer, Appalachian Power region support manager. "This often means that customers see a spike in their next electric bill. However, there are still lots of ways customers can cut down the size of their bill, even with the high temperatures"

Thousands of customers are faced with temperatures hovering around or above 90 degrees, while in many parts of Appalachian's service territory the heat index has reached or even exceeded 100. Temperatures are expected to remain high the next few days as the heat wave moves east across the United States.

There are many simple energy efficiency measures customers can put into place to save money without jeopardizing comfort, including:

• Repair and weatherstrip air leaks in the home; about 10-25 percent of energy used to cool homes escapes via leaks.
• Maintain consistent temperatures and monitor your thermostat settings.
• Install ceiling fans to circulate cool air throughout the house.
• Close draperies and shades on south-facing windows to block sunlight and heat during the day.
• Move furnishings away from floor or return air vents.
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances such as ovens or dryers during the hottest parts of the day.

Other energy savings ideas are available at: https://appalachianpower.com/save/. Customers are also encouraged to think ahead and plan for winter when electric bills tend to spike again.

Appalachian also offers the average monthly payment plan, designed to level out bills over a 12-month cycle so that customers do not experience summer and winter spikes, when usage is typically at its highest.

"With the average monthly payment plan, customers won't see a sudden jump in their bills just because of the weather," Beckelhimer said. "This often makes it easier for customers to budget and plan for their power bills."

Customers who are experiencing financial hardship should contact the Company's 24-hour Customer Solutions Center to discuss options regarding their accounts. The toll free numbers are: 1.800.982.4237 (W. Va.), 1.800.956.4237 (Va.) and 1.800.967.4237 (Tenn.)

Appalachian Power has almost 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.

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Editor’s Note: Temperature information for your locality is available from weatherunderground.com