How to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer in Georgia

Georgia Power bills can hit $300 to $400 or more in summer for a typical home, with HVAC accounting for 40 to 60 percent of that. Here is how to cut that significantly.

Smart Thermostat Settings

Set 78 degrees when home, 82 when sleeping with a ceiling fan, and 88 when away for more than 30 minutes. Every degree you raise saves 3 to 5 percent on cooling costs.

Use Ceiling Fans Correctly

Ceiling fans create a wind chill that makes you feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. Turn them off when you leave the room — they cool people, not spaces.

Block Solar Heat Gain

Up to 30 percent of unwanted heat enters through windows. Close south and west-facing blinds in the afternoon. Low-E window film is a more permanent solution.

Seal Air Leaks

Gaps around electrical outlets, pipes, and the attic access hatch allow hot humid air to infiltrate. Caulk and weatherstrip these gaps to reduce both cooling load and humidity.

Annual AC Tune-Up

A dirty, poorly maintained system can operate at 70 percent of rated efficiency. Annual maintenance restores full capacity and typically pays for itself in energy savings within the first summer.