Here in Fort Lauderdale, we’re hitting the hottest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re looking for as many low-cost 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 chill in your home, too. It may be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you must spend excessive amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC team at Solar Air Inc. 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 offer, 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 programming your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re away during the day 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 increase the effect of your air conditioner. When a ceiling fan is turned on while the air conditioner is operating, you can actually turn up 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 make sure your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even cutting down on the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a tad cooler and take a load 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 make sure it runs at its best efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in Fort Lauderdale in August is for the AC to stop working, and an air conditioner service visit can also identify small fixes before they become larger concerns.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re almost through the summer months, you’re probably not wanting to purchase a new AC right now. But when you are ready to replace 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 Fort Lauderdale, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these tips, you might even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Solar Air Inc. at 954-320-7398 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.