Augusta, GA
How to set your Georgia AC thermostat for low temps and cost this summer
This tech can help lower your electric bill
A smart home also means being smart with managing the costs of running it all. These smart power strips, thermostats and LED bulbs can lower costs.
Marc Saltzman, Special to USA TODAY
Farmer almanacs as well as the National Weather Service predict a hotter-than-average summer in Georgia, and the average is usually fairly hot.
Residents could end up spending a lot of money on staying cool. Here are some tips for relief without breaking the bank:
What temperature should my thermostat be in Georgia?
Georgia Power recommends keeping your thermostat as low as 78 degrees in the summer. Not sure about that? In general, the Department of Energy says the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your bill will be.
The agency also recommends keeping a home warmer than normal when away to avoid unnecessary air conditioning use.
At the same time, avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal because it won’t cool your home faster and could result in excessive cooling with a higher bill. As part of that, don’t forget to ensure your thermostat’s fan is set to “Auto,” not “On.” Otherwise, it will just continuously blow even when it doesn’t need to.
Which direction should your fans rotate in the summer?
In summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise when you look up at them. This direction pushes cool air downwards, creating a cooling breeze that helps you feel more comfortable.
If you didn’t know already, you can usually find a button or switch at the base of your fan that changes the direction your fan spins.
Does opening garage doors help with heat?
A closed garage in summer can get insanely hot. But whether or not keeping the door open will help is up for debate. Angi (formerly known as Angi’s List) said it adds ventilation and makes it less stifling, and D Bar Garage Doors said it can dissipate some of the heat that’s built up throughout the day.
However, experts on Homes & Gardens said this creates potential security risks, lets animals in, and potentially damages your door if it’s old. It’s also not the most efficient way of fighting off the heat.
More tips for staying cool while keeping electric bills down
- Wear light-colored and light-weight clothing.
- Drink plenty of ice-cold water.
- Close curtains and blinds to keep direct sunlight out. Blackout curtains will help with this even more.
- Change your A/C filters and keep vents clear.
- Close doors and vents of rooms you’re not using. But don’t close off any rooms that connect to rooms you do use; you’ll block airflow through the area.
Who is more susceptible to heat?
Older adults are more prone to heat stress, according to the Centers for Disease Control. They don’t adjust as well to temperature changes, they’re more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes their normal responses to heat, and they’re more likely to take prescription medicines that affect the body’s ability to control its temperature. Heat can be a particular problem for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses because they may not notice they are overheating.
Those with certain neurodivergent conditions, like autism or ADHD, may also be more susceptible to heat, as many with these conditions deal with sensory overload. Some medications that treat these sorts of conditions may also increase heat sensitivity.
How hot will it be this summer?
The National Weather Service’s seasonal temperature outlook for June through August predicts a 40-50% chance of above normal temperatures for nearly all of Georgia, except the northwest edge, where it’s a 33-40% chance. An average amount of precipitation is expected.
When is summer?
The first day of summer is marked by the summer solstice, which is June 20 or 21 and occurs at the moment Earth’s tilt toward the Sun is at a maximum. This year’s is on June 21, but don’t be surprised if the summer-like conditions have already begun.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As a heat wave settles over Augusta, the Psi Omega Foundation is working with Richmond County Marshal’s Office to deliver fans as a part of their annual fan drive.
Eugene White, president of the Psi Omega Foundation, said his personal connection to the community drives the effort.
“I’m the son of someone. I’m the grandson of someone,” White said. “And so when we think about our elders who may have struggled, that really drives home our desire to build a tenacious community.”
Fans available, no questions asked
White spent the day delivering fans across Augusta. Around 140 fans were available for donation.
Lt. Monica Meyers of the Richmond County Marshal’s Office said this year’s conditions have been more severe than previous summers.
“This year I noticed that the humidity has been higher, the heat index has been higher,” Meyers said. “And with that said, we know that research shows us that the elderly and seniors are less likely to run their AC during the summer months because they’re trying to save their budgets, because they are on fixed budgets and low income.”
Doctors say anyone can be at risk for heat-related illness when the heat index reaches the 90s or above.
How to get a fan
The Marshal’s Office said fans are available to anyone, no questions asked. Meyers said residents can call the Richmond County Marshal’s Office at 706-821-2368 or visit the substation at 3050 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Emergency Management Agency will open a cooling center on Friday as temperatures continue to climb.
According to officials, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the city.
The city will open the May Park Community Center on Friday from 12-7 p.m.
Officials say residents may use Augusta Transit’s normal routes during operating hours to access the cooling center.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – John Ryan, the coordinator for the Office of Critical Event Preparedness & Response at Augusta University, was awarded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Director’s Community Leadership Award on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
Ryan was recognized for his work with the #StrongAugusta initiative. It started six years ago as a way to train law enforcement agencies how to respond to active shooter situations.
“What we’re doing as for as fostering a community safety initiative which is really at the highest level of what “Strong Augusta” is, is a community safety effort and what it means is it’s not falling on deaf ears,” Ryan said.
The FBI said the award recognizes people who go above and beyond to support the community to encourage safety.
“It highlights people in the community that go above and beyond to support their community in a leadership role to try to enhance education, crime prevention, social justice,” said Brian A. Osden, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI’s Atlanta division.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
-
Connecticut2 minutes agoSeveral state parks, beaches close Friday due to capacity
-
Delaware10 minutes agoBeloved farm owner, 65, fatally crushed by one of his own camels in Delaware
-
Florida12 minutes agoPublix? Walmart? What Florida stores are open and closed on July 4
-
Georgia17 minutes agoGeorgia baseball has nation’s No. 1 transfer class
-
Hawaii25 minutes agoMan accused of trying to run over police officers in Kalihi arrested
-
Idaho27 minutes agoFire burning near Ammon foothills – East Idaho News
-
Illinois33 minutes agoIllinois Launches Holiday DUI Crackdown
-
Indiana40 minutes agoStorm chance late on the Fourth, then heat tones down early next week | July 4, 2026
