Every year, United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 211 Contact Center receives thousands of requests for help with electric bills, making it one of the most urgent needs we see. Last year alone, we connected more than 56,000 families to resources to help people keep their lights on and their homes cool.
But in late summer, the need spikes. August and September are when summer electric bills become more overwhelming for many families — and when the risk of losing power becomes the most urgent.
Why are summer electric bills so high?
If you’ve lived in the South long enough, you probably don’t have to ask yourself “why does my electricity bill go up in the summer?” Atlantans know: Rising temperatures mean increased air conditioning usage, which drives up energy costs.
Last summer was the hottest summer on record in Atlanta, with temperatures averaging as high as 5 degrees above normal, according to Fox 5 Atlanta’s storm team. And this isn’t a one-time trend, according to climate experts.
“Atlanta now experiences nearly two weeks’ worth of extreme heat days per year [more] than it did in 1970 — part of a broader trend in which nearly every U.S. city is heating up,” said Dr. Kristina Dahl, Vice President for Science at the nonprofit Climate Central.
In the hottest months, Georgia Power reports show that the average electric bill in summer can jump as much as 55% — from $171 to $266. For families living paycheck to paycheck, that increase can be the tipping point in an already tight budget.
In fact, more than 500,000 families in Greater Atlanta are considered “energy burdened,” meaning they spend more than 6% of their income on energy. For families already struggling to make ends meet, they can start to face dangerous tradeoffs, like between keeping the air conditioning running or paying for groceries and affording medical care.
Air conditioning help is not a luxury
Air conditioning is so much more than just a relief on a humid afternoon. It’s essential for health and safety, especially for children and seniors. Without it, the risks of heat-related illness rise sharply.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), electric fans alone are not enough to prevent heat-related illness. They found that in a typical year, heat causes 67,512 emergency department visits, 9,235 hospitalizations, and 702 deaths.
Not all Greater Atlanta neighborhoods experience heat the same way. One study found that communities with more concrete and lower tree cover had a significantly higher risk of heat vulnerability due to increased surface temperatures.
Neighborhoods like English Avenue, and others in south and west Atlanta, are at the highest risk. These same communities already face financial, social, and health-related barriers to well-being, according to United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Child Well-Being Index®. That means in the hottest neighborhoods, families are more likely to fall behind on bills and face service disconnections.
Each year, thousands of households risk losing power during the hottest months of the year. For many, the question isn’t “why is my electric bill so high in the summer” — it’s how to keep the power on at all.
Ways to get help with electric bills this summer
Staying current on summer electric bills is so important for keeping families safe this summer. For families facing rising costs, United Way of Greater Atlanta and our partners offer several ways to help.
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Lower your energy use at home. Small changes where you can during the hot summer months can reduce your summer electric bills by helping your air conditioning run more efficiently.
- Change your air filters regularly and clean vents
- Close your blinds during the hottest parts of the day
- Use appliances in the early morning or late evening to reduce extra heat in your home.
- Seal gaps around your windows and doors with weatherstripping to keep cool air in
- Explore utility discount programs. Families with a combined household income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less may be eligible for a discount on their monthly energy bill through Georgia Power’s assistance program.
- Apply for energy-efficient home upgrades. Homeowners in the City of Atlanta may qualify for home upgrades at no cost to help reduce the energy burden on their home through the WeatheRISE program.
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Contact 211 for personalized support. You can get support from our 211 Contact Center 24/7 by texting “help with electricity bill” and your zip code to 898-211, or visiting us online. We can help you take the next step to see if you qualify for:
- Any Georgia Power discount programs you may be eligible for
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program for low-income households
- A referral to one of our more than 100 nonprofit partners who offer financial assistance for electric bills
You can help families stay safe and cool this summer
No one should have to choose between staying cool and meeting basic needs. But for too many Atlanta families, that’s the reality of rising summer electric bills.
When you give to United Way of Greater Atlanta, you help ensure families can access critical support — not just for utilities, but for whatever challenge they’re facing next.
Give today to help Atlanta families beat the heat, and build a stronger, more resilient community for all.