Here in Omaha, 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 great, but sometimes you just want to be able to chill 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 Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning are here to share a couple tips on how to fully utilize 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 could 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 increase the effect of your air conditioner. When a ceiling fan is used while the air conditioner is working, you can actually turn up the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without impacting your 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 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 good reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help make certain that it operates at peak efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in Omaha in August is for the AC to stop working, and an air conditioner service visit can also identify small fixes before they become huge issues.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re just about 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 weather in Omaha, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these tips, you may even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning at 402-509-5940 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.