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Summer in Norcross brings warm temperatures, long sunny days, and the kind of Georgia heat that has your air conditioner working from sunup to sundown. Staying cool at home is a must, but it does not have to come with an energy bill that leaves you sweating for a different reason. At Arbor Mill Apartments, we are committed to making sure our residents feel comfortable and cared for throughout every season. Here are some of our top tips for staying cool and keeping your energy use smart this summer.
1. Be Deliberate with Your Thermostat
A few simple changes to how you use your thermostat can add up to real savings over the course of the summer. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F while you are home and raising it a few degrees when you leave for the day or settle in for the night. For every degree you increase the setting, you can save up to 3% on your cooling costs.
If your apartment has a programmable or smart thermostat, take a moment to create a schedule that reflects your daily routine. Your AC should not be running at full power when the apartment is empty and no one is there to feel the difference.
2. Get the Most Out of Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are one of the best allies you have for staying comfortable during the summer months. They do not actually lower the air temperature, but the airflow they produce creates a wind chill effect that makes a room feel several degrees cooler. Using a ceiling fan alongside your AC allows you to raise your thermostat by about 4°F without sacrificing any comfort.
For maximum effectiveness during the summer, make sure your fan is spinning counterclockwise so it pushes cool air downward where you can feel it. Turn fans off when you leave the room since they are designed to cool the people in a space, not the space itself.
3. Use Your Window Coverings to Fight the Heat
Windows allow more heat into your apartment than most people realize, particularly on south and west facing sides that catch the brunt of the afternoon sun. During the hottest hours of the day, generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., keep your blinds, curtains, or shades closed on those windows to stop solar heat from building up inside your home.
Thermal drapes or blackout curtains are a worthwhile and affordable investment that can make a noticeable difference in how cool your apartment feels throughout the day. They reduce the heat your AC has to overcome and help maintain a more consistent indoor temperature from morning to evening.
4. Adjust When You Run Your Appliances
Appliances like ovens, dryers, and dishwashers release heat as they operate, which can warm up your apartment and put extra strain on your AC during the hottest parts of the day. Making a few adjustments to when and how you use them goes a long way.
On hot days, cook with a microwave, slow cooker, or air fryer rather than turning on the oven. Save your laundry and dishwasher cycles for the evening or early morning when temperatures are naturally lower outside. Switching to LED bulbs is another easy change that pays off since they produce significantly less heat than traditional incandescent options. Also get in the habit of unplugging chargers and small electronics when they are not in use because they continue drawing power and giving off heat even when sitting idle.
5. Track Down Air Leaks in Your Apartment
Gaps around your windows and exterior doors can allow cool air to escape and let warm outside air creep in, forcing your AC to work harder and run longer than it should. Take a few minutes to check around your window frames and at the base of exterior doors for any noticeable drafts or openings.
If you find something that needs addressing, the maintenance team at Arbor Mill is ready to help. Submit a request and we will get it taken care of right away. A draft stopper at the base of a door is also a quick and inexpensive temporary fix while you wait.
6. Open Your Windows When Temperatures Drop
Your AC does not have to carry the full load every hour of the day. On cooler mornings and evenings, usually before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m., open your windows to bring in fresh outside air and give your system a rest. Opening windows on opposite sides of your apartment encourages a natural cross breeze that moves cool air through the space without using any energy at all.
Once the outdoor temperature rises above the temperature inside your apartment, close your windows back up and let your AC take over for the rest of the day.
7. Stay on Top of Your AC Filter
A clogged or dirty filter makes your AC work much harder to push cool air through your apartment, which drives up energy use and can also affect the quality of the air you breathe at home. During the summer when your system is running more often than usual, check your filter every month and plan to replace it every one to three months depending on your household.
If you ever have questions about your filter or need support with your HVAC system, the Arbor Mill maintenance team is always happy to help. Just put in a request and we will get it handled.
8. Gravitate Toward the Coolest Areas of Your Home
Not every part of your apartment heats up equally throughout the day. Heat rises naturally and rooms with a lot of direct sun exposure tend to warm up faster than interior or shaded spaces. During the hottest afternoon hours, spend time in the naturally cooler areas of your home and keep interior doors open so that cool air from your AC can circulate freely and evenly throughout your entire apartment.
Stay Cool and Enjoy Summer at Arbor Mill
A comfortable summer at home is absolutely within reach. With a few thoughtful habits and small adjustments to your daily routine, you can keep your apartment cool, stretch your energy dollars further, and still enjoy everything that Norcross has to offer this time of year.
When you need a place to unwind and recharge, our community amenities are right here for you. And whenever you have a maintenance concern or a question about your home, the Arbor Mill team is always just a call or visit away.
Here is to a cool, comfortable, and energy smart summer from all of us at Arbor Mill Apartments!