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Summer in Lithonia means plenty of sunshine, warm breezes, and the kind of Georgia heat that reminds you just how hard your air conditioner is working. Staying cool is a priority for everyone, but that does not have to mean watching your energy bill climb higher with every passing week. At Wesley Stonecrest Apartments, we are dedicated to making sure our residents feel comfortable and at home all year round, including through the hottest months of summer. Here are some of our top tips for beating the heat while keeping your energy costs under control this season.<\/p>\n
1. Be Intentional with Your Thermostat<\/h2>\n
Your thermostat is one of the most powerful tools in your home when it comes to managing energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting it to 78°F while you are home and raising it a few degrees when you leave for the day or head to bed at night. Each degree you increase the setting can translate to up to 3% in savings on your cooling costs.<\/p>\n
If your apartment is equipped with a programmable or smart thermostat, set up a schedule that mirrors your daily routine. That way your AC is not working at full capacity when no one is home to benefit from it.<\/p>\n
2. Get More Mileage from Your Ceiling Fans<\/h2>\n
Ceiling fans are one of the most underutilized tools for staying cool during the summer. 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 than it really is. Running a ceiling fan alongside your AC lets you raise your thermostat by about 4°F without feeling any less comfortable.<\/p>\n
Make sure your fan is set to spin counterclockwise during the summer months so that cool air is pushed downward where you can feel it. Turn fans off when you leave the room since their benefit is felt by the people inside, not the room itself.<\/p>\n
3. Close Your Blinds During the Hottest Hours<\/h2>\n
A significant amount of heat enters your apartment through your windows, particularly on south and west facing sides that receive direct afternoon sun. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, keep your blinds, curtains, or shades closed to prevent that solar heat from building up inside your home.<\/p>\n
Thermal drapes or blackout curtains are an affordable upgrade that can make a meaningful difference in how cool your apartment feels throughout the day. They reduce the burden on your AC and help your space maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature from morning to evening.<\/p>\n
4. Rethink Your Appliance Routine<\/h2>\n
The appliances you use every day produce more heat than most people realize, and adjusting when and how you use them during the summer can help keep your apartment cooler and your energy costs lower.<\/p>\n
On hot days, trade the oven for a microwave, air fryer, or slow cooker to avoid heating up your kitchen. Run your dishwasher and washing machine during the cooler evening or early morning hours rather than midday. Making the switch to LED bulbs is a small change with a real payoff since they generate far less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs. It is also worth unplugging chargers and electronics you are not actively using because they continue drawing power and releasing heat even when sitting idle.<\/p>\n
5. Check for and Address Air Leaks<\/h2>\n
Gaps around windows and exterior doors allow cool air to escape and warm air to sneak in, which means your AC has to run longer to keep your apartment at a comfortable temperature. Take a few minutes to check around your window frames and at the base of your exterior doors for any noticeable drafts or openings.<\/p>\n
If you find something that needs attention, the Wesley Stonecrest maintenance team is here to help. Submit a request and we will get it addressed right away. In the meantime, a draft stopper at the base of your door is a simple and low cost way to reduce air loss until the fix is made.<\/p>\n
6. Open Your Windows When the Temperature Drops<\/h2>\n
Your AC does not have to run nonstop to keep your apartment comfortable throughout the day. On cooler mornings and evenings, generally before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m., open your windows to let fresh air circulate and give your system a rest. If you can open windows on opposite ends of your apartment, you will encourage a natural cross breeze that refreshes the entire space without using any energy at all.<\/p>\n
Once the outdoor temperature rises above the temperature inside your home, close your windows back up and let your AC handle things for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n
7. Keep Your AC Filter Clean and Current<\/h2>\n
A dirty or clogged filter forces your air conditioning system to work much harder than it should, which increases energy use and can also affect the quality of air circulating through your home. During the summer when your AC is running more frequently, check your filter every month and plan to replace it every one to three months based on use.<\/p>\n
If you have any questions about your filter or need assistance with your HVAC system, the maintenance team at Wesley Stonecrest is always glad to help. Just reach out and we will take care of it.<\/p>\n
8. Make Use of the Cooler Areas in Your Home<\/h2>\n
Heat naturally rises and sun exposed rooms warm up more quickly than interior or shaded spaces, so parts of your apartment will feel noticeably different from one another at certain times of day. During the hottest hours of the afternoon, spend time in the cooler areas of your home and keep interior doors open so that cool air from your AC can flow freely and evenly throughout the entire space rather than collecting in just one room.<\/p>\n
Enjoy Summer to the Fullest at Wesley Stonecrest<\/h2>\n
Staying comfortable and energy conscious this summer is completely within reach. A few simple and consistent habits can keep your apartment cool, protect your budget, and leave you more time and energy to enjoy everything that Lithonia and the surrounding area has to offer.<\/p>\n
When you are ready to step outside and take in the season, our community amenities are right here to help you relax and recharge. And whenever you have a maintenance need or a question about your home, the Wesley Stonecrest team is always just a call or visit away.<\/p>\n
Here is to a cool, comfortable, and energy smart summer from all of us at Wesley Stonecrest Apartments!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summer in Lithonia means plenty of sunshine, warm breezes, and the kind of Georgia heat that reminds you just how hard your air conditioner is working. Staying cool is a priority for everyone, but that does not have to mean watching your energy bill climb higher with every passing week. At Wesley Stonecrest Apartments, we… <\/p>\n