Stay Cool With These Money Saving Tips

• Don’t allow the interior of your home to become uncomfortably hot because the air conditioner cannot cool it down within a reasonable amount of time. Air conditioners are designed for about a 20° change in temperature, so 100° air would only be cooled to about 80°.

• One of the simplest air conditioner tips is to change your air conditioner filter at least four times a year to ensure that your family is breathing cleaner air and your HVAC system is not being overworked. It could save energy and money!

•  Run your ceiling fans to stay cooler in the summertime. Check your fans to ensure they are going in the correct direction. In the summer, your fan should be set on “forward,” which means the blades are rotating counter-clockwise. There is a switch on the base where you can control this.

• It is fairly common for an air conditioner to ice up. The air conditioner drain line can also freeze, backup and cause a leak, which is often confused for a plumbing leak. When this happens, immediately turn off your compressor by switching your thermostat over to fan. As the ice starts to melt, make sure you have proper drainage and call a professional.

• From dirty coils to poorly-designed ductwork, there are many things that can restrict airflow. One of our professionals can check them all and get to the root of the problem.

• Keep heat out of your home by closing blinds, shades and draperies that cover windows facing the sun. Close coverings on east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon. Also, installing shades or blinds that are white reflects heat away from the house. This can keep you cooler and help save energy.

• Keep your outdoor air conditioning unit cooler by planting trees or shrubs that provide shade but still allow air to flow around the unit. By properly shading the area, your system can perform up to 10% more efficiently. Also, be sure the landscaping isn’t too close to the unit, so a technician can service it easily when necessary.

• The best defense against air conditioner problems is to have an annual home service plan in place and make sure your system is maintained year-round, especially right before the heavy heat of summer sets in. Regular tune-ups reduce your risk of experiencing common malfunctions and will help you stay cool.

• Don’t let heat build up in your home. Appliances, electronic devices and lighting are all common sources of internal heat gain. To combat this excess heat, avoid putting lamps or televisions near your air conditioner’s thermostat. These heat-generating appliances can cause the thermostat to think the house is warmer than it really is, resulting in the system running longer than necessary and wasting energy.