4 Ways to Save When Temperatures Swing

When temperatures swing from spring-like afternoons to sudden cold snaps, small adjustments can make a big difference in both comfort and energy use.

1. Use Your Home Like a System (Not a Switch)

During transitional weather, avoid treating your thermostat like an on-off button. Instead of chasing every temperature change, aim for steady settings and give your home time to respond. Frequent, dramatic adjustments can drive up energy use without improving comfort.

If you’re unsure how those adjustments affect your bill, My Power Usage in the Alabama Power app lets you see how weather and daily habits impact energy use, so you can spot patterns and make informed changes.

2. Match Your Energy Use to the Weather – Not the Calendar

It’s easy to fall into “winter mode” or “spring mode,” even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. On warmer afternoons, try delaying heating or cooling until the house truly needs it. On cooler mornings, use natural sunlight by opening blinds on south-facing windows to warm your space before adjusting the thermostat.

If you want help figuring out what makes sense for your home, Home Energy Reports provide personalized insights and seasonal tips based on your actual energy use.

3. Watch for the Sneaky Energy Drains

Transitional months often mean longer runtimes for HVAC systems as they respond to frequent changes. Simple checks can help:

• Make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture or rugs.
• Replace or clean air filters so systems run efficiently.
• Use ceiling fans on low speed to help circulate air before turning on heating or cooling.

Find all our energy-saving tips for every season here.

4. Keep Humidity Levels in Mind

Indoor humidity can influence how your home feels during Alabama’s winter weather swings. Maintaining a 30–50% range during the colder months can help prevent your heating system from working harder than necessary. Consider using a hygrometer to keep an eye on levels so you know when small adjustments may help.

Plan Ahead for Comfort – and Your Bill

Weather swings don’t just affect comfort; they can also show up on your bill. Keeping an eye on usage throughout the month can help prevent surprises later.

Using tools like My Power Usage and Bill Explainer allows you to understand and track changes as they happen, understand what’s driving them and adjust before costs add up. Our Rate Advisor tool can also help you understand your rates and see whether your current plan aligns with how you use energy.

Need support throughout the ups and downs of the season? Our Energy Assistant tool can help connect you with financial assistance, savings programs and more flexible options tailored to your household and needs.

Find all these resources and more at alabamapower.com/winter and download our free Alabama Power app for easy, on-the-go access to your online account and our energy-saving tools.