Here in Auburn, we’re hitting the hottest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re trying to find as many inexpensive 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 pros at Forster Heating are here to share a couple tips on how to get the most from your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not using all your programmable thermostat has to give you, you’re missing out on potential savings. In fact, Natural Resources Canada found that you may save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by lowering your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours during the day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re gone and set 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 boost 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 sacrificing comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can enter your home through your windows, so ensure your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even reducing the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a little cooler and take away some work from 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 make sure it runs at peak efficiency all season. Plus, the last thing you want in Auburn in August is for the AC to stop working, and an air conditioner service visit can also identify small fixes before they become larger issues.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re almost through the summer months, you’re probably not looking to purchase a new AC right now. But when you are ready to swap out 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 environment in Auburn, 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 Forster Heating at 530-885-8081 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.