Beat the Heat—and the Bill—with Flexible Payment Options
A few simple steps can help residents and businesses manage energy costs
As outdoor temperatures soar and air conditioners work overtime, Starkville Utilities is reminding customers that higher electricity usage during extreme heat can lead to increased utility bills.
“With temperatures hovering near triple digits for days and staying above 80 degrees well into the night, air conditioners are working nonstop to keep homes and businesses cool,” said Edward Kemp, general manager for Starkville Utilities. “When that happens, it’s normal for customers to see higher-than-usual utility bills.”
To help customers monitor energy use and avoid financial strain during periods of high demand, Starkville Utilities offers several flexible billing and account management options, including:
- Account management tools through the SmartHub customer portal let customers monitor usage, receive alerts for high consumption, and better understand how their habits impact bills. https://www.starkvilleutilities.com/smarthub/
- Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit allows customers to perform a self-paced audit of their residence to look for ways to make their home more energy efficient. Customers who complete the assessment will receive a $10 Home Depot gift card as well as a free home energy savings kit (valued at $50). To complete, visit https://energyright.com/residential/services/home-energy-assessment/
- Budget Billing takes an average of the past 12 months’ consumption and allows customers to pay a fixed amount each month. This option makes bill amounts consistent and is helpful for customers on budgets or fixed incomes. Customers must have an account for 12 months to qualify.
- Pick-A-Due Date allows customers to choose when their payments are due. Timing bills with paychecks and other income sources helps ensure that funds are available when needed. This option is available for customers enrolled in automatic bank draft.
- Payment due date extensions give customers up to two weeks after the original due date to post payments. Customers must contact Starkville Utilities before the payment due date to coordinate extensions.
- Free energy workshops are held each spring and fall to promote energy-saving tips. Email support@starkvilleutilities.com to receive the schedule and learn more about upcoming opportunities.
To learn more about these and other programs, services and tools, customers can email support@starkvilleutilities.com, call 662-323-3133 or visit the office at 200 Lafayette Street.
Kemp added that while he is confident that Starkville Utilities has taken appropriate steps to meet the higher energy demand this summer, customers are urged to conserve electricity whenever possible which will also result in energy savings and lower bills.
Some tips to manage electrical usage include:
- Raise the air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees or higher.
- Use energy-efficient ceiling fans and portable fans to circulate air when thermostat settings are higher.
- Turn off window or central air conditioning units if you are leaving town on vacation or for a long weekend.
- Have a professional inspect your air conditioner and check the refrigerant level. A low level of refrigerant will cause the unit to work harder and longer.
- Keep cooled air inside your home. Caulk around doors and windows, close the fireplace damper, and fill holes and gaps where wiring and pipes enter the house.
- Draw blinds, drapes, and curtains to keep direct sunlight from warming the house.
“We want our customers to know they don’t have to face high bills alone,” Kemp said. “We’re here to help them stay comfortable, stay informed and stay in control of their energy costs—throughout the hottest months of the year.”
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.