Here in the Rio Grande Valley, we’re hitting the peak months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re searching for as many cheap ways to stay cool as possible, even air conditioner service. Getting full use of your pool pass is fun, but sometimes you just want to be able to hang out in your home, too. It could be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend exorbitant amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC team at Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. are here to offer a couple tips on how to fully utilize your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not utilizing 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 setting 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 arrange for 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 used while the air conditioner is working, 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 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 legitimate reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help ensure it works at its best efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in the Rio Grande Valley in August is for the AC to break down, and an air conditioner service visit can also catch small fixes before they become larger concerns.
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 weather in the Rio Grande Valley, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these insights, you might even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. at 956-630-3522 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.