It’s officially summertime, and you’re probably already experiencing the uncomfortable heat of the season. Air conditioning is a godsend during these hot months, but there’s nothing enjoyable about seeing your energy bills spike from the increased usage. Read along for five tips to avoid unnecessary strain on your HVAC system and use energy efficiently all summer long!
1. Give Your System A Break
There’s no sense in spending money to cool an empty house. When no one is home, turn off your air conditioning or set the thermostat over 70 degrees so it will only kick on if things really heat up. If you find yourself forgetting this step before leaving the house, you may want to consider a smart thermostat. Not only can you program a smart thermostat to match your schedule, but you can remotely control your system from your phone, making it easy to adjust as things change.
2. Get Creative With Cooling Down
Although A/C is a great way to keep your house cool (and is often necessary to stay comfortable and safe during heatwaves), you can supplement your air conditioning with other ways to cool down, requiring less strain on your thermostat.
For example, you can take a cool shower, wear fewer layers, draw the blinds and turn off the lights, use ice packs or wet towels, and turn on fans. You can also crack your windows to help the air move around in your home! Just make sure it’s only a crack, or you might let more hot air in.
3. Change Your Air Filters
You’ve probably heard this tip at least ten times — but it’s still true! Changing your air filter every three months (at the least) improves your indoor air quality and helps your system run more efficiently. If your household includes pets that shed a lot, you may need to change your filter even more frequently.
4. Invest In Efficient Appliances
Older, outdated air conditioning units must work harder to cool your home. Investing in a newer model will save you money in the long run by using less energy and lowering the costs of future repairs.
Older models of other home appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and ovens, expel more heat than their newer counterparts. By upgrading these appliances as well, you can save on your energy bills and make it easier for your system to keep the house cool.
5. Keep Up With Maintenance
Lastly, remember to keep up with seasonal maintenance from a trusted HVAC services provider. Regular maintenance can ensure condensation is drained properly, your filters and coils are clean, and any faulty parts can be addressed and replaced before causing future issues. A well-maintained unit is an efficiently-running unit.
If you need a professional team of HVAC technicians to repair or perform maintenance on your A/C system, the Absolute Heat & Air family is here to serve! Contact us by clicking here.
