Mississippi Utility Bills Rise As Fall Cooling Hits

Cooler air has settled across Mississippi, pushing daytime readings to the mid-50s through low 80s in recent days. Residents have traded long sleeves for quarter-zips in the morning, then shed them by afternoon as the sun warms the state.

The Old Farmer's Almanac projects a Thanksgiving 2026 outlook of cool temperatures and sunny skies for Mississippi. The forecast points to sunshine, rain and snow in other parts of the country.

As furnaces start up, monthly utility statements draw attention. Ashley England, senior manager for demand management at the Tennessee Valley Authority, outlined steps to hold heating costs down during an appearance on The Handyman Show. She pointed first to daylight hours: "Be sure you're using that sunlight, when it's out there, to your advantage. Open your curtains and blinds on sunny days and let that ambient heat warm your home." She then added, "Remember to close them at night. That will hold the heat in that your HVAC is generating."

England also addressed the physical path of heated air through a house. "Double-check that your heating vents are open and that they're not blocked by furniture or rugs," she said. Blocked vents force a system to run longer to reach a set temperature, driving consumption higher.

Mississippi residents tracking conditions can follow an updated statewide forecast posted online.