Beating the Summer Heat Is a Breeze With These 3 Tips!
Spring has finally given way to summer, and that means the cool days and cooler nights will be few and far between until fall starts creeping in again. The warmer summer months are certainly something to cherish in Connecticut, but they’re also nothing to scoff at - running the air conditioner is an absolute necessity for most homeowners.
Unfortunately, not everyone is getting the most out of their AC, and some may even be overworking it without knowing, both of which can lead to increased energy costs. Read on to discover three easy hacks to help reduce the burden on the AC, save a little money, and keep the place nice and cool all summer long.
Be Vigilant About Shutting Doors
Just about everyone has heard the expression about not cooling the great outdoors. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening when an exterior door is left open while the AC is running - cold air is rushing out and vanishing in the wind. Minimizing the number of times doors stay open is perhaps the easiest way to help keep a home cool. Of course, it is good to leave a door open on the occasional breezy day to get some fresh air.
And even keeping interior doors closed to rooms that aren’t in use can help keep the house cool - but ideally, if the home uses a central air system, it’s best to close the supply vents in those rooms to help maintain a steady and robust airflow through the rest of the house.
Install Ceiling Fans (And Use Them!)
Making use of ceiling fans is a powerful way to keep a home cool and reduce energy usage all at once. If the home doesn’t have many (or any) ceiling fans, installing them in the most commonly used rooms can work wonders. They are fairly inexpensive and use very little electricity, yet they are often underutilized in many homes.
Leaving a fan or two on during the day (with the blades spinning counterclockwise to push air down rather than pull it up) can help lower the temperature in the house and produce a nice, cool breeze. One big benefit is that the AC won’t have to work as hard. Some homeowners may be able to turn off the AC and rely solely on the fans - at least on cooler nights.
Improve AC Performance With Routine Maintenance
The above tactics are effective ways to help stay cool and reduce energy waste in the summer, but they’re no substitute for keeping the AC running smoothly and in prime condition. One part of this is using the correct filter and being diligent about changing it out on time. The other part is hiring a professional to perform regular maintenance.
Not only does routine maintenance help prevent inconvenient summer breakdowns and costly repairs, but it also helps ensure that the unit is operating efficiently. This is crucial for keeping the home cool and bringing down energy costs since a poorly maintained or struggling unit will consume more electricity as it tries and fails to cool the home. A professional can also inspect the system fully for any other vulnerabilities and recommend further solutions for improving efficiency.
About Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has been proud to serve the Danbury, CT community for over 30 years. Their honesty, outstanding customer service, fast turnarounds, and expert workmanship have earned them an A+ BBB rating and a long list of 5-star reviews. They offer flat-rate, up-front pricing, membership rewards, and 24/7 emergency service. Call now for air conditioning service!
