During the summer and winter months, heating and cooling are typically the biggest energy users in your home. Your bill may be affected by weather conditions when these systems operate at their peak, and any adjustments to your household or daily routine could also impact your energy usage.

Here are a few tips to keep your energy usage low during the summer:

• Weatherize your home. See if you qualify here.
• Get your A/C tuned up. Sign up for a rebate here.
• Turn your thermostat down 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day, or up the same amount for cooling to save up to 10% a year on electric bills.
• Routinely clean or replace your air filters.
• Use portable fans to circulate air so your A/C doesn’t have to run as frequently.
• Avoid using large appliances such as the dishwasher, washer and dryer or the oven during the hottest part of the day – between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Install a smart thermostat to control your energy usage while you are away.
• View your usage and see more Energy Tips in Energy Insights.

We have pricing options that help you manage your bill during peak seasons.

• Average Monthly Billing (known as Levelized Billing in Arkansas) helps level out the unusually high bills from months of high electricity use. Your total annual cost for electricity remains about the same, but you have the convenience of a more consistent bill each month.
• Monitor your energy usage closely by switching to SmartHours. Customers can see savings when they change how they use energy and shift their usage outside of peak hours. The more electricity they shift outside of peak hours, the more they can save on their bill. Our SmartHours customers help protect the electric grid and the environment.