Here in Cottonwood & Prescott, we’re hitting the warmest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re looking for as many cheap ways to stay cool as possible, even air conditioner service. Getting full use of your pool pass is nice, but sometimes you just want to be able to relax in your home, too. It might be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend exorbitant amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC experts at Connolly Electric & Mechanical are here to share a couple tips on how to fully utilize your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not taking advantage of all your programmable thermostat has to offer, you’re missing out on potential savings. In fact, Natural Resources Canada found that you can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by lowering your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re away during the day and program it to turn it back on around the time you arrive home.
Use fans to help circulate the air. Ceiling fans circulate the air in a room and help maximize the effect of your air conditioner. When a ceiling fan is turned on while the air conditioner is running, you can actually raise the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without hurting your comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can sneak in your home through your windows, so make certain that your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even decreasing the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a little cooler and take the workload off your AC.
Set up an air conditioner service appointment. We couldn’t let this one slip by, but for a real reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help ensure it runs at top efficiency all season. Plus, the last thing you want in Cottonwood & Prescott in August is for the AC to not work, and an air conditioner service visit can also catch small fixes before they become larger concerns.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re nearly through the summer months, you’re probably not wanting to purchase a new AC right now. But when you are ready to get rid of your equipment, look for Energy Star® certification and high SEER ratings, which can help you save hundreds of dollars a year on cooling costs.
While you can’t control the climate in Cottonwood & Prescott, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these nuggets, you might even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Connolly Electric & Mechanical at 928-251-4327 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.