Energy efficiency and savings

One of the best ways to protect the environment, and save money, is to use energy more efficiently. Alabama Power is working aggressively to help residential, commercial and industrial customers use electricity more efficiently and reduce their energy costs. The company also works with architects and developers to construct more energy-efficient buildings that can help them save money over the long run.

Energy Efficiency for residential customers

Alabama Power residential customers have a host of options to help them use energy more efficiently. They include the company's online Energy Check Up and Energy Library, a virtual energy-efficient home tour, and programs that provide customers with incentives to install energy efficient appliances, heating/cooling systems and water heaters. The company also actively promotes energy efficiency by providing free energy saving tips online and through public education campaigns.

Residential Energy Efficiency Programs:

• Energy Star new Home Program - $300 incentive for building an Energy Star Compliant new home with electric heating and water heating
• CFL Program – During Customer Appreciation Week, customers can receive a compact fluorescent light bulb at APC business offices
• Energy Star Room A/C Incentive - $20 incentive for purchase of Energy Star rated room air conditioners
• High Efficiency Heat Pump Incentive – Incentives of $25, $50, and $100 for HVAC dealers depending on the heat pump's seasonal energy efficiency ratio
• In-Home Energy Check Up – In-home energy audit performed by APC personnel
• Custom Energy Report – A survey customers may fill out and mail to a vendor for a free customized energy report
• Online Energy Check-up – Online energy audit available to all residential customers
• Water Heater Blankets and Pipe Wrap – Conversion water heater customers receive a free water heater blanket and pipe wrap when they pick up their free water heater from APC
• Energy Star Programmable Thermostat Program - $50 incentive to HVAC dealers who install an Energy Star rated programmable thermostat in conjunction with a heat pump conversion

Demand-side management

It's called demand-side management (DSM) – programs that encourage customers to modify their level and pattern of electricity usage. They are more than just traditional energy efficiency initiatives; they also include special demand-response programs that help reduce energy usage during times when the need for electricity is at its highest – during hot summer afternoons, for example. Alabama Power is an industry leader in DSM, with nearly 20 DSM programs to benefit our customers. These programs have reduced electricity demand by nearly 1,600 megawatts – enough power to serve more than 400,000 homes. By 2020, Alabama Power plans to reduce electricity demand by another 450 megawatts through DSM programs, representing an additional $350 million of avoided costs for our customers. Combined with our existing programs, these savings are equal to 14 percent of our current generation capacity and represent savings of more than $1.5 billion of future generation costs for our customers.

Residential demand-response programs:

• Centsable Switch – 50 percent cycling program available five hours per day, June-September. Works in conjunction with Smart Meters
• SmartPower Critical Peak Pricing Program – Program where customer receives a free "smart" thermostat and is also placed on a time-of-use rate with a critical peak price component. Works in conjunction with Smart Meters
• Time-of-Use Rate – Three tiers for residential customers

Commercial & industrial demand-response programs:

• Industrial Interruptible Program – Allows interruption of load with 15-30 minutes' notice. Limited to 200-600 hours per year and no more than 8 hours per call
• Stand-By Generator Program – Customers enter a contract with APC to switch to their stand-by generators with no notice. We are limited to calling these contracts for no more than 240 hours a year and no more than 8 hours per call
• Real Time Pricing & Time-of-Use Rates – APC has 15 commercial and 18 industrial options
• Real Time Pricing (Critical Pricing Component) – As part of rate RTP, whenever the non-firm program is implemented, APC will add $150/MWhr to the RTP price during the hours of non-firm call. Limited to no more than 200 hours per year and no more than 8 hours per call
• Scheduled Energy Curtailment – Lets customers schedule load curtailments either a day in advance or with up to 30 minutes notice in exchange for a market derived payment.
• Supplement Reserves – Less than 10 minute interruptible available for system operations to avoid the use of combustion turbines

Smart meters

Alabama Power has provided all of our customers with a smart meter, an automated electronic metering and meter communication system. When fully implemented, this state-of-the-art technology will help provide all our customers with a host of new and future benefits.