Summer weather in Sandpoint can be rough. But you don’t have to make a choice between being comfortably cool and saving money on your utility bills. We’ve assembled some tips to make it simple.
The top thing you can do to stay comfy and maintain energy efficiency is by servicing your air conditioner. ENERGY STAR® suggests keeping your system operating reliably and efficiently, and Age Heating & Cooling is able to help. During an AC tune-up appointment, we’ll complete the following tasks suggested by ENERGY STAR and more:
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors to ensure safe operation of your system and the chance of a longer lifespan for major components.
- Clean the air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils as required. Dirty coils require your system to run longer to do its job.
- Check system controls to make sure of proper and safe operation.
- Look at refrigerant levels.
- Clean and adjust blower components to assure accurate system airflow.
Another key to remaining cool is regularly looking at your air conditioner’s air filter. A dirty filter could raise energy bills and damage your equipment, leading to untimely failure. Our Age Heating & Cooling experts will check these for you at your tune-up appointment, but you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to arrange your own schedule to switch them out.
Here are a few other tips to keep your home cool and energy-efficient:
- Look at thermostat settings to make sure your air conditioner keeps you cool when you are home and saves energy while you are not around.
- If it’s cool at night, you can turn off your air conditioner and open your windows. Let nature cool your home for you! In the morning, shut your windows and window coverings to hold on to the cool air and block the sun’s heat.
- Utilize fans. An ENERGY-STAR ceiling fan will allow you to set your thermostat a little higher than you normally would without noting any changes in your comfort level.
- Another style of fan people seem to forget about when they’re trying to keep cool is their bathroom ventilation fan. Make certain to run yours when you shower as well as 20 minutes or longer after you’re done to remove the heat and humidity from your bathroom.
- Avoid leaving lights on and running many appliances on the hottest days. Obviously, your stovetop and oven put heat into your home, but even normal activities like watching TV, working on the computer, and drying or curling your hair can boost the heat in your home.
If you’d like extra ideas on how to keep your home cool and energy efficient this summer, give Age Heating & Cooling at call at 208-578-4258 or request an appointment with us online.