Alabama Power has rolled out a new online tool aimed at helping customers see how summer heat affects electricity use inside the home. The feature, called TempCheck, lets users compare outdoor temperatures with their thermostat settings and shows how that gap can affect the strain on an HVAC system.
The tool arrives as many Alabama families expect higher power bills during the hottest stretch of the year. Alabama Power says the goal is to give customers a clearer picture of how energy use rises when air conditioners work harder to keep homes comfortable.
How TempCheck works
TempCheck is an interactive calculator that asks users to enter two numbers: the temperature outside and the temperature set on the thermostat. It then measures the difference and labels the resulting energy demand as low, moderate, high, or extreme.
Alabama Power spokesperson Anthony Cook said the closer the indoor setting is to the outdoor temperature, the less energy a home tends to use. He also said the tool is meant to show how a setting such as 70 degrees creates a 12-degree difference when the outside temperature is 82, and how that difference affects usage.
Why the company is promoting it now
Heating and cooling systems can make up as much as 35% to 50% of a home’s total energy use, especially during periods of extreme weather. Alabama Power also says residents in the state use roughly 30% more energy than the national average, which makes efficiency a bigger concern during long hot spells.
The company says TempCheck is meant to help customers make more informed choices as temperatures rise across the state. It does not estimate a monthly bill, but it does help explain why energy use often climbs when homes are trying to stay cool in high heat.
What else can affect energy use
Alabama Power officials note that thermostat settings are only one part of the picture. Insulation, the condition of doors and windows, the age and efficiency of HVAC equipment, and individual comfort preferences can all change how much energy a home uses.
Even with those variables, the company says the tool can help customers better understand day-to-day energy demand. It also points out that the same idea applies in colder months, when heating systems must maintain a wider gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
TempCheck is available through Alabama Power’s summer energy savings page, which also offers additional tools and tips for tracking and managing energy use during periods of extreme heat.
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