Of course, the last thing you want to do is have a sweaty, sticky summer, so what do you do? Do you sit in a bucket of ice, stick your head in the freezer, or run your air conditioner at full blast? Our guess is that you’ll probably pick the last one.
But here’s the thing: running your AC at full bast can dramatically reduce efficiency, leading to an increased need for repairs and higher energy costs. We know you don’t want this, but we also know just how important it is for you to keep cool and comfortable during the summer. So, what do you do? Well, keep reading below to find out!
Here’s What You Can Do!
There are plenty of ways to boost your air conditioning efficiency. Here are a few:
1. Turn on Your Ceiling Fan
If you’ve got a ceiling fan in your home, use it! Turning on your ceiling fan is a great way to better circulate cool and conditioned air all throughout your home, taking much of the strain off of your AC.
2. Close Your Curtains
It’s no secret that the sun is hot, so the last thing you need during a hot summer day is the sun’s rays beaming into your home. Therefore, closing the curtains on your south-facing windows during the day is a great way to keep excess heat out of your home.
3. Take a Shorter Shower
Hot, steamy showers can definitely take their toll on your AC. You see, hot showers add more moisture into your indoor air, making it much harder for your AC to do its job. That’s why we recommend taking cooler, quicker showers during the summer.
4. Plan a BBQ
You might be wondering why we are telling you that a barbeque is a great way to boost your AC efficiency, but trust us, we’ve got our reasons! Cooking appliances, like stoves and ovens, all generate tons of heat, and during a hot summer day, all this excess heat can really jack up your cooling costs. Therefore, we recommend taking your cooking outside during the summer!
5. Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to preset certain temperatures for certain hours of the day. This way, you’ll never have to worry about wasting energy, especially if you step out of the house for the day. Trust us, when you upgrade to a programmable thermostat, you are sure to see lower energy bills.
6. Change Your Air Filter
A dirty air filter can cause all sorts of problems for your air conditioner, including reduced airflow and lowered efficiency. Therefore, it is important that you change out your air filter every 1–3 months during the summer season.
7. Schedule a Tune-Up
Annual maintenance is perhaps the best way to keep your AC in check. During your maintenance visit, your technician will make any adjustments necessary to boost efficiency and performance. Plus, you’ll be able to catch minor problems before they become major hassles!
To schedule your air conditioning services in Alexandria, VA, contact the team at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating today!