The heat in Montgomery’s can have a big impact on your home comfort. Make sure you are prepared for the season so you can enjoy a cool home that offers a welcoming retreat from the weather outside. These simple tasks can help you beat the heat and make a big difference in how you experience Alabama summers.
Schedule an Air Conditioner Tune-Up
Scheduling an annual tune-up will help to keep your system in top shape, so it can handle any weather. Aim for at least one maintenance visit each year — although some recommend once before the spring and fall seasons. Frequency could depend on region, and how much you rely on your HVAC system. If it has been a while since your last service call, it is a good idea to schedule one now.
During this visit, your HVAC technician will check the indoor and outdoor components of your system including your refrigerant levels, ductwork, thermostat, and condenser. Loose parts will be tightened, and rigid parts oiled, and any dust or buildup will be removed. Your system will be analyzed for any potential problems, and repair or replacement will be recommended if necessary. Annual maintenance visits will help you to catch potential problems early, and minimize future repair costs. A well-maintained system also operates more efficiently so you will enjoy lower utility bills throughout the season.
Look for Leaks
There are many places where warm air can seep into the home through small gaps and cracks. A simple visual inspection may reveal areas around window and doors that need to be sealed. You may also feel warm air coming through those areas as well. If you are losing cool air, or warm air is able to seep in, more will be required of your air conditioner to keep your home cool. Windows and doors can account for significant heat gain and loss of cooled air. There are several options for fixing air leaks. Caulking and using weatherstripping around windows and doors are inexpensive and efficient ways to seal your home.
Air leaks can also occur in the ductwork through seams or cracks. As with windows and doors, any loss of conditioned air means your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home. Your HVAC technician will be able to determine if the ductwork needs to be sealed or replaced.
Block the Heat
Windows and doors not only let air in through gaps and leaks, but they can also result in solar energy entering your home. Awnings and window treatments such as curtains, shades, and blinds can help to reduce the effect of the sun’s rays entering your home. Lack of insulation too, can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. No insulation, or faulty insulation, will allow heat to escape from unconditioned areas such as attics or basements.
Update Your Thermostat Settings
As you transition from one season to another, it is important to update the settings on your thermostat. In the summer, you will save money on your utilities by keeping the house a little warmer, particularly when you are sleeping or away from home. Using the same settings year-round will decrease your energy efficiency, so always remember to revisit your thermostat whenever the weather changes.
A programmable thermostat is the ideal option for lowering your utility bills and maintaining home comfort with minimal effort. These thermostats allow you to program set temperatures for different days and times so you are always using the most efficient setting. Programmable thermostats also help you to handle the heat efficiently. Even though you program the thermostat so the house will be warmer when you are away, you will be able to program a lower setting at a specific time, for cooling to begin so the temperature will be comfortable when you return.
Set Your Fans for a Cooling Breeze
Check your fan’s rotation and make sure the blades are moving in the right direction for summer cooling. Set the fan to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction during the hot months, and remember to switch the rotation to help circulate warm air when the weather is cold. Using your fans along with your air conditioner means you can rely less on the HVAC system, and therefore, reduce the amount of energy it would consume for cooling.
For more energy-efficient ways to keep your home cool, contact Air Conditioning by Luquire at 334-230-5870. We have quality systems and expert solutions to help you survive the hot, humid, Montgomery weather.
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