Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Because of the rising cost of fuel, Alabama Power will be adjusting its monthly rate beginning in August, according to officials.

According to officials, the typical residential customer bill will increase by approximately $6 a month to cover the higher cost of fuel. This price change is still below the national average, according to officials.

Beth Thomas, who is over Alabama Power’s Mobile division, which includes Atmore, Flomaton and Brewton, said the company doesn’t make money from fuel expenses, and AP remains committed to providing the low-cost dependable service customers have come to expect.

Thomas said customers will also notice a credit on their July bill.

“Typical customers will receive a one-time credit of about $19,” she said. “The credit is due to lower than forecasted cost in 2021.”

Thomas said the customers on flat billing programs will not see a change on their monthly bills until they renew their annual contracts.

For more information, customers can chat with AP’s Customer Support Center, call by phone at 1-800-245-2244 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. CST or meet with them in person at one of the AP’s offices.

Additionally, Alabama Power has been promoting energy savings tips to customers to help them lower their bills.

Some ways customers can manage their energy use includes:

• You can manage daily energy use by enrolling in My Power Usage on your online account at AlabamaPower.com. The tool shows daily and monthly usage, projected bill amounts and sends email alerts when bills reach a set dollar amount.
• Find easy tips to save money and use less energy at AlabamaPower.com/Summerize.
• Budget Billing is a free service that lets you pay an averaged bill each month, based on annual use. Budget Billing can help stabilize seasonal variations in energy bills.

Those able to support neighbors in need can check the Project SHARE box on their Alabama Power bill or online account. Contributions to Project SHARE, administered by the Salvation Army, directly support low-income and elderly customers in our communities.

• Partners in the community also are ready to help. More information on resources and assistance programs to help your neighbors through Community Action Agencies is available at AlabamaPower.com/PaymentAssistance.
• You can enroll in a time-of-use rate to save money based on when and how you use major appliances in your home.
• With the Family Dwelling-Demand Rate Plan, save money by staggering the use of major appliances and running them at night and on weekends. The more major appliances you can avoid using at the same time during peak hours, the more money you save.
• The Time Advantage-Energy Rate Plan also helps save money when shifting electricity use to nights and weekends.