Throughout much of America, summer temperatures can become quite warm. In an ideal world where money and the environment have no consequence, we would run our air conditioning units non-stop and enjoy the cool temperatures of our home without a second thought. However, money and the environment are of consequence. Finding ways to stay cool while minimizing our electric budgets and our impact on the environment can be difficult. However, following these summer cooling tips can help:
Do not allow your home’s interior to become extremely hot. Your air conditioning unit is only meant to cool your house down by about 20 degrees. This means if you allowed your house to get to 100 degrees, you can only expect your A/C to be able to cool it down to 80 degrees, even over a long period of time. Expecting your air conditioning unit to be able to perform in this way will cause it to need replaced soon and only add costs to your energy bills. Even if you are going on vacation, try to keep your thermostat set at a reasonable temperature.
Change the filter on your HVAC system at least once per quarter, or four times per year. This not only is healthier for your family, as they will be breathing cleaner air, but it will ensure that your HVAC system is not being overworked, causing your energy bills to increase.
House cooling tips would not be complete without mentioning home appliances. First, make sure there are no appliances such as lamps or televisions near your thermostat which could cause a falsely high reading, in turn making your air conditioner run unnecessarily. In addition, keep appliances that are not in use unplugged. Many appliances that are on, or even plugged in and not in use can add to your electric bill, and cause an increase in temperature of your home.
Finally, one of the best tips to stay cool in summer is to have a service agreement in place for your air conditioning unit. You should have it checked by a technician at least once per year, before the weather gets warmer. Regular tune ups will decrease untimely and costly breakdowns. Schedule an A/C maintenance inspection today to make sure your unit is running up to par. Additionally, follow these cooling tips for your home to increase your comfort while keeping your electric bill affordable.