HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Your air conditioning unit may be getting a break soon, as Thursday’s storms are set to bring cooler temperatures over the next few days, but how will this change in temperature affect your energy bill? 

With temperatures reaching well into the 90s over the last week, folks have been doing what they can to beat the heat.

That usually means cranking the AC up to combat the high temperatures and leaving it running, which can lead to higher energy bills. 

“When it’s like this, I just leave it on all the time,” said resident Jim Edmondson. “When it’s cooler at night, then I’ll turn it off, but right now, nope, too hot and humid.”

However, Thursday’s thunderstorms are set to bring temperatures in the 80s over the next few days.

10 On Your Side spoke to Dominion Energy on how this quick shift in outside temperatures can have an effect on your energy bill, and how folks can lessen the blow on their wallet and AC unit. 

“Seasonal swings in temperature can impact your energy bill and cause it to fluctuate,” said Cherise Newsome with Dominion Energy. “That’s gonna impact your bill because of the strain that you’re placing on your appliances and the usage in your home. Industry experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78 degrees, if you can tolerate just a few degrees warmer than whatever you’re used to. That can make a big impact on your bill.”

Dominion said for those who receive a higher than usual bill due to the heat, assistance programs are available for payments. 

“One of them is called Energy Share,” Newsome said. “During the summer months, you can receive up to $300 of bill payment assistance if you find yourself in a financial crisis. This is not an income-based program. Additionally, we do a lot of partnerships with local agencies, so when you call our customer service team, they can also help refer you to other agencies like 211 that might be able to provide some additional services.”

If you’d like to learn more about Dominion’s Energy Share program or other payment assistance programs, click here.