Ever wonder why your summer electricity bill makes you sweat more than the actual heat? Let's talk about keeping cool without going broke.
The Magic Number for Your AC
Set your AC to 26°C (that's 78°F). Sounds warm? Maybe. But here's the thing - this temperature hits the sweet spot between comfort and efficiency. The US Department of Energy backs this up, and they know their stuff.
Going out for a few hours? Bump it up to 29°C (85°F). Your AC won't work as hard cooling an empty apartment. At night, try 28°C (82°F) with a fan. You'll sleep fine and save money.
Quick math: Every degree higher saves you 3-5% on cooling costs. That adds up fast.
Dehumidifier Hacks That Actually Work
Here's what most people get wrong about dehumidifiers. They leave windows open. Big mistake. Close everything - doors, windows, even that bathroom vent if you can. The machine needs sealed air to work properly.
Put it in the middle of the room. Not in a corner. Not against the wall. Middle of the room. Air needs to flow around it.
Keep humidity between 30-50%. Lower than 30% and your skin gets dry. Higher than 50% and hello mold problems. Clean that filter weekly. Empty the water tank before it's full. Simple stuff but people forget.
Pro move: Run your AC first to cool down, then switch to just the dehumidifier. Uses way less power to maintain comfort.
Why Blackout Curtains Are Worth Every Penny
Those thick, dark curtains can drop your room temperature by 30-40%. Not kidding. They block the sun's heat radiation - the main reason your apartment turns into an oven.
East-facing windows? Close curtains in the morning. West and south windows? Afternoon is when you need them shut. Work with the sun, not against it.
Bonus perks: They block noise from outside, keep nosy neighbors from peeking in, and stop your furniture from fading. One purchase, multiple benefits.
Peak Hour Pricing (What You Need to Know)
Good news for Korean households - residential rates were frozen while industrial rates went up. But you still have progressive pricing. Use too much electricity and your rate per unit jumps.
Industrial users get hit hard during peak hours (1-5 PM in summer). Residential users don't have time-based pricing, but that progressive rate structure means marathon AC sessions still hurt your wallet.
Apartment Cooling Habits That Save Money
Open windows early morning and late evening when it's cooler outside. During the day? Everything stays shut.
Use fans strategically. Put one across from an open window to pull cool air in. Ceiling fans should spin counter-clockwise in summer - pushes air down.
Don't use the oven during the day. Same goes for the dryer. These appliances dump heat into your apartment. Cook at night or use the microwave.
LED bulbs produce less heat than regular ones. Small difference but it helps. Unplug devices you're not using - they generate heat even on standby.
Plants help too. They release moisture that cools the air naturally. Group several together for better effect.
Seal gaps around windows and doors. Cold air leaking out means your AC works harder. Weather stripping costs almost nothing and makes a real difference.
Clean your AC filter monthly. Dirty filters make the system work harder and use more electricity.
The Bottom Line
Set AC to 26°C, close windows when using dehumidifiers, invest in blackout curtains, understand your electricity pricing, and build smart cooling habits. These aren't revolutionary ideas but most people don't follow them consistently. Start with one or two changes and add more as they become habits.