Here in the Bay Area, we’re hitting the hottest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re trying to find 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 crazy amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC team at Contra Costa Heating & AC are here to share a couple tips on how to fully utilize your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not taking advantage of all your programmable thermostat has to give you, you’re missing out on potential savings. In fact, Natural Resources Canada found that you may save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by setting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours during the day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re at work 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 turned on while the air conditioner is working, you can actually increase the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without hurting your comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can sneak in your home through your windows, so make sure your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even reducing the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a little cooler and take away some work from your AC.
Set up an air conditioner service appointment. We couldn’t let this one slip by, but for a legitimate reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help ensure it works at peak efficiency all season. Plus, the last thing you want in the Bay Area in August is for the AC to not work, and an air conditioner service visit can also find small fixes before they become huge issues.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re almost through the summer months, you’re probably not in the market to purchase a new AC right now. But when you are ready to get rid of 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 the Bay Area, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these nuggets, you could even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Contra Costa Heating & AC at 510-343-9841 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.