South Jersey summers aren’t just “hot.” They’re a combination of blazing sun, sticky coastal humidity, and that special kind of heat that makes the asphalt on Route 55 shimmer like it’s about to melt. Whether you’re in Vineland, Washington Township, Hammonton, Mays Landing, or down toward Cape May, the struggle is real: stay cool without handing your paycheck to the electric company. Here are 9 ways to lower your air conditioning bill during a heatwave without sweating through your shirt.
1. Don’t Cook Your House
We all love a good lasagna, but turning on your oven in August is like inviting the heatwave inside for dinner. In a South Jersey heat spell:
Oven? Off.
Stove? Quick and early.
Microwave, toaster oven, or the backyard grill? Heroes.
If you must cook, do it in the morning before the humidity rolls in like a blanket straight from the Atlantic.
2. Thermostat Discipline (Even When It’s Tempting)
Every degree lower you set that AC is like handing the utility company another coffee on your tab.
78°F while home is a sweet spot for comfort and savings.
Out for the day? 82–85°F works.
And no, setting it to 60°F won’t “cool the house faster.” That’s an AC cooling myth.
3. Fans: Your Secret Weapon
Fans don’t cool the air, but they make you feel cooler. A ceiling fan can make a room feel 4–6 degrees cooler, which in South Jersey humidity is the difference between “comfortable” and “I’m sticking to my own couch.”
Pro tip: turn them off when you leave. There is no sense cooling empty rooms.
4. Block the Sun, Keep the Cool
If you’re in a shore house with big sunny windows or a suburban home in Gloucester County, your AC’s worst enemy is direct sunlight.
Close blinds and curtains during peak hours.
Seal door frames and window gaps so your AC isn’t cooling the great outdoors.
Think of it as sunglasses for your house.
5. Show Your AC Some Love
From older homes in Mays Landing to newer builds in Hammonton and Washington Township, your air conditioner works overtime in a heatwave. Keep it alive:
Change filters every 1–3 months during heavy use.
Clear leaves, grass, and debris from the outdoor unit.
Skipping this is like skipping oil changes. It is fine until it isn’t, and then it’s expensive.
6. Cold Water is Your Friend
Cold showers aren’t just for athletes; they’re perfect after a sweaty afternoon in the garden or walking the boardwalk. Wash clothes in cold water, too. Your energy bill drops and your clothes last longer. Win-win.
7. Dehumidify to Beat the Muggy Air
Humidity is what turns 88° into “feels like 98°” around here. A dehumidifier, especially in basements common across South Jersey, makes the air feel cooler without blasting the AC.
That moment you step outside and wonder if you accidentally walked into a wet blanket? Yeah, welcome to summer.
8. Keep Perspective
Yes, you could sit in the dark eating popsicles, but life’s too short. The goal is balance. Stay cool, stay safe, and keep your cash for the good stuff… like Rita’s Water Ice or an AC upgrade for next summer.
9. Upgrade to High-Efficiency Cooling
Sometimes the best way to lower your electric bill is to give your old AC a dignified retirement. Modern high-efficiency heat pumps and air conditioners use far less energy while keeping your home just as cool and sometimes cooler. That means more comfort for you and less cash for the utility company.
If your current system sounds like it’s running a freight train every time it kicks on, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer free estimates on HVAC replacements and can help you find the right high-efficiency unit for your South Jersey home.
Beat the Heatwave with Trusted South Jersey HVAC Service
Laury Heating & Cooling has been keeping South Jersey cool since 1945, through every scorcher, humidity spike, and shore-bound heatwave. Whether you’re inland in Washington Township, close to the coast in Ocean City, or anywhere in between, we’ll help you stay comfortable without high AC bills. If you need emergency AC repair, HVAC service, or just a check-up before the next big heatwave, give us a call.
