It's hotter than blazes, and if you feel like your air conditioner isn't
keeping up with the cooling demand in your home, a few simple and inexpensive
tasks can boost its performance—and save you money on energy costs. From the
team at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, here are five surefire ways to
enjoy cool comfort without cranking down the thermostat.
1. Seal air leaks.
If your home's envelope is leaking air, your air conditioner has to work
overtime to compensate as cool air escapes and warm air infiltrates. Caulk
around leaky windows and baseboards, and install weatherstripping around
exterior doors. Seal around pipes and service entrances on exterior walls, and
make sure the attic hatch is well-sealed.
2. Install a programmable thermostat.
A programmable
thermostat that's properly installed and programmed can shave ten percent
off your cooling bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To enjoy
savings without sacrificing comfort, set your thermostat to eight degrees
higher than normal while you're at work and four degrees higher than normal
while you're asleep. You'll never have to worry about forgetting to set it
back, and you can program it to have your rooms cool by the time you wake up or
arrive home.
3. Get a tune-up.
Your air
conditioner works hard all season long to keep you comfortable. Much like a
car, your system loses efficiency over time, but an annual tune-up can
restore peak operation and prevent common problems. During a tune-up, a
certified technician will test the controls, remove dust buildup, tighten belts
and electrical connections, and check for refrigerant leaks and other problems.
4. Turn on those fans.
When you're hot, sweat evaporates from your skin to eliminate heat and
regulate body temperature. Fans keep the air moving around your skin to promote
more evaporation, which keeps you cooler. Turning on your fan increases your
comfort, even at higher thermostat settings. But remember: Fans cool people,
not air. Turn them off when you leave the room to save energy.
5. Replace the air filter.
A dirty air filter restricts airflow and makes your air conditioner work
harder to keep you cool, wasting energy and dollars. Replacing a dirty air
filter with a clean one can increase system efficiency by up to 15 percent, according
to the Department of Energy. Choose a high quality, pleated air filter, and
check it each month. If it's coated in dust, replace it.
Comfort doesn't have to be costly, and you can even save money on cooling
bills by keeping your air conditioner in top condition and maintaining an
energy efficient home. For more information about ways to stay cool during the
dog days of summer, feel free to contact J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling.
J.R. Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East
Valley, servicing Phoenix and more specifically Scottsdale, AZ. To learn more,
please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com
or call (480) 422-4437.
