It’s no secret that staying cool can be a challenge during the steamy Texas summers. The experts at Advent Air Conditioning in Lewisville offer these tips to help homeowners save energy and money – and keep comfortable – during the hottest months of the year.
Have your air conditioning system tuned-up for the season, so it runs at peak efficiency. Operating at peak efficiency will save money because the system doesn’t have to work as hard to do its job.
Replace your furnace or air handler filters on a regular basis. Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the Number 1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills.
Keep the thermostat constant. Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. You can, however, raise it 2-3 degrees during the day while you’re away to save money. For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut energy consumption by up to 3-5%.
Flip the switch on your thermostat to “fan on” mode when cooling the house. This will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.
Install awnings or plant trees that will shade southern facing windows.
Clear or cut back shrubs and bushes from the outdoor unit. The sides of the unit require at least 12-18 inches of clearance for proper performance.
Don’t block vents or ducts inside the house to ensure proper air flow.
Replace older windows with more efficient low-E glass. These windows help to reduce the effect of the sun’s warming rays. Also, keep storm windows closed.
Install an attic fan to help ventilate some of the hot air out of the attic.
Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps.
Avoid using the oven during the day. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from these appliances won’t increase A/C demands.
Turn off lamps, TVs and other appliances when not in use.
Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house.
Update your insulation. Make sure that your attic insulation and weatherproofing is up to standards to prevent heat or air from leaking around doors, windows or through the ceiling.
If you need to replace your HVAC unit, buy one appropriate to your home. Just because it’s bigger, doesn’t mean your house will be cooler. Don’t waste money on an over-sized unit.
For more helpful tips, or to have the health of your current HVAC unit assessed, call the award-winning comfort specialists at Advent Air Conditioning at 469-240-5456 or visit www.AdventAir.com.
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