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Summer in Lawrenceville is full of sunshine, warm evenings, and plenty of Georgia heat. While the season brings a lot to look forward to, it can also bring rising energy bills as your air conditioner carries the load day after day. At Wesley Place Apartments, we care about making sure our residents feel comfortable at home without worrying about the cost. Here are some of our best tips for staying cool and keeping your energy use in check all summer long.<\/p>\n
1. Be Strategic with Your Thermostat<\/h2>\n
Your thermostat is one of the most powerful tools you have for managing energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting it to 78°F when you are home and raising it a few degrees when you leave or go to bed. For every degree you increase the setting, you can save up to 3% on your cooling costs over time.<\/p>\n
If your apartment has a programmable or smart thermostat, set it up with a schedule that reflects your typical day. Your AC should not have to run at full strength when the apartment is empty and no one is there to benefit from it.<\/p>\n
2. Get More Out of Your Ceiling Fans<\/h2>\n
Ceiling fans are a simple and effective way to stretch the comfort of your AC further. They do not lower the actual air temperature, but the movement of air creates a cooling effect that makes a room feel several degrees cooler. That allows you to raise your thermostat by about 4°F while still feeling comfortable throughout the day.<\/p>\n
For best results in the summer, confirm your fan is spinning counterclockwise to push cooler air downward. Turn fans off when you step out of a room since they cool the people in the space, not the space itself.<\/p>\n
3. Keep the Sun Out During the Hottest Hours<\/h2>\n
A significant amount of unwanted heat enters your apartment through the windows, especially during peak afternoon sun. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., keep your blinds, curtains, or shades closed on south and west facing windows to stop heat from building up inside your home.<\/p>\n
Blackout curtains or thermal drapes are an affordable upgrade that pay off quickly in energy savings. They are especially helpful in rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day.<\/p>\n
4. Rethink Your Appliance Habits<\/h2>\n
Many of the appliances you use every day give off more heat than you might realize, and making a few small adjustments can keep your apartment cooler and reduce strain on your AC.<\/p>\n
On hot days, cook with a microwave, slow cooker, or air fryer rather than heating up the full oven. Run your dishwasher and washing machine in the evening or early morning when outdoor temperatures are lower. If you have not yet made the switch to LED bulbs, now is the perfect time since they produce far less heat than traditional incandescent options. Also get in the habit of unplugging chargers and electronics when you are not using them because they continue drawing power and generating heat even when sitting idle.<\/p>\n
5. Check for Drafts and Air Leaks<\/h2>\n
Gaps around windows and exterior doors let cool air slip out and warm air creep in, making your AC work harder than it needs to. Take a few minutes to check around your window frames and the bottoms of exterior doors for any noticeable drafts.<\/p>\n
If you find anything that needs attention, our maintenance team at Wesley Place is ready to help. Simply submit a request and we will get it taken care of. A draft stopper at the base of a door is also a quick and low cost way to reduce air loss while you wait.<\/p>\n
6. Open Your Windows When the Temperature Drops<\/h2>\n
Your AC does not need to run around the clock to keep your apartment comfortable. On cooler mornings and evenings, generally before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m., open your windows to bring in fresh air and give your system a much needed break. Opening windows on opposite sides of your apartment encourages a natural cross breeze that circulates cool air without using any energy at all.<\/p>\n
Once the outdoor temperature rises above the temperature inside your home, close the windows back up and let the AC take over for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n
7. Keep Your AC Filter Fresh<\/h2>\n
A dirty air filter forces your AC unit to work harder to push air through your apartment, which drives up energy costs and can also affect the air quality in your home. During the summer months, make it a habit to check your filter every month and replace it every one to three months depending on your household.<\/p>\n
If you ever have questions about your filter or need support with your HVAC system, the Wesley Place maintenance team is here and happy to help. Just reach out and we will get it sorted quickly.<\/p>\n
8. Use the Naturally Cooler Areas of Your Apartment<\/h2>\n
Heat rises and sun exposed rooms warm up faster than interior spaces, so some areas of your apartment will naturally stay cooler than others throughout the day. During the hottest afternoon hours, spend time in those cooler spots and keep interior doors open so that cool air from your AC can circulate freely throughout your entire home rather than pooling in just one area.<\/p>\n
Enjoy a Comfortable Summer at Wesley Place<\/h2>\n
Keeping your apartment cool and your energy bill reasonable this summer is more achievable than it might seem. A few simple changes to your daily habits can make a real difference in both your comfort and your monthly costs. And when you want to step outside and enjoy all that Lawrenceville has to offer, our community is a wonderful place to do it.<\/p>\n
Whenever you have a maintenance need or a question about your home, the team at Wesley Place Apartments is always here for you. We are proud to be the place you come home to.<\/p>\n
Here is to a cool, relaxed, and energy smart summer from all of us at Wesley Place Apartments!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summer in Lawrenceville is full of sunshine, warm evenings, and plenty of Georgia heat. While the season brings a lot to look forward to, it can also bring rising energy bills as your air conditioner carries the load day after day. At Wesley Place Apartments, we care about making sure our residents feel comfortable at… <\/p>\n