Steamy Days and Muggy Nights. How to Stay Cool and Keep Energy Costs Down

It’s officially air conditioning season in Buckhead, Georgia, and the greater Atlanta area. We all know that your electric bill goes up every time you crank up the air conditioner, which means that many homeowners will be receiving larger energy bills at the end of the month. If you want to lower your cooling costs, enduring some level of discomfort seems inevitable. Luckily, there are a few ways to carry on and keep cool.

Controlling Daytime Cooling Costs

First, use recommended thermostat settings. This means setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home, and turning it back to 83 degrees when you’re away. On very humid days, lower the thermostat by a few degrees to remove excess moisture. If your thermostat isn’t working properly or isn’t programmable, Ful-Bro Heating and Air Conditioning can install a new one. Second, get ahead of the heat by lowering the thermostat in the early morning. Third, close blinds and shades on skylights and south-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain.

Controlling Nighttime Cooling Costs

Before central HVAC was the norm, sleepless nights accompanied every heat wave. Even now, it’s difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep when it’s too warm. In places where central air isn’t as common, people get by with a few simple tricks. The The Sleep Council recommends using cotton sheets, removing heavy comforters and wearing cotton nightclothes. Use a fan to create a comfortable breeze. If things get really bad, put your pillowcase in the freezer, or sleep with a chilly hot water bottle. Drinking cold water before bed can keep you comfortable by lowering your body temperature. Limiting heat-generating activities, such as cooking and showering, is also helpful.

Finally, maintaining your air conditioning system can improve your comfort and help you save money by increasing efficiency and reducing repairs. Check out our maintenance page to learn more about the benefits, or call us at 678-369-0500 to schedule a tune-up for your HVAC system.