Five Air Conditioning Money Saving Tips

For those of us in the East Valley, air conditioning is essential. The thought of going an entire summer without it is worse than the idea of running a marathon in flip-flops. Unless you plan to treat every day in your house like a hot yoga class, air conditioning is not an optional feature of your home.

Once temperatures start to climb and your air conditioning unit is running overtime, your energy bill can start to skyrocket. Budgeting for those hotter months can be tough. Here are a few ideas to keep costs down:

• Use ceiling and/or oscillating fans to circulate the air. This is probably in the "staying cool 101" manual, but it makes a big impact. Make sure your ceiling fans are circulating in the correct direction to push cool air down and suck up the warm air.

• Turn off your lights. If it's daytime, there is no need for lights on in the house. They will not only use up more energy, but they will aid in the heating of your house as well. Halogen lights in particular create an abundance of heat.

• Keep doors and windows closed. You may think getting fresh air will help, but all that does is push more hot air in, making your air conditioner work harder. Make sure all windows and doors are sealed so nothing can sneak through cracks.

• Utilize different zones with your thermostat. If you have the option of using zones with your thermostat, use that to your advantage. For example, cool the rooms you use the most more and keep the lesser-used rooms a little warmer. If you don't have zone options, close the vents in those lesser-used rooms so more cool air flows through the open vents in the busier areas of your home. 

• Keep your air conditioner in good shape. If you have an old AC unit, make sure you are properly maintaining it. If there is even the smallest thing wrong, your air conditioner may work overtime even when it doesn't need to, and your energy bill will take a hit. 

As the spring and summer months approach, be sure to put these cost saving techniques into play in your home. You and your family will still be happy, and your wallet will be happy too.

Contact us today to learn more about how to save money this spring and summer!

Seven Air Conditioning Tips for Surviving Heat Waves

It's that time of year again, when Mother Nature dials up the heat. While air conditioning in your home certainly takes the edge off the sweltering summer heat, there are a number of tricks you can use to make your abode even more comfortable.

Set Your Air Conditioner At 78 Degrees

This is the best setting for comfort, power consumption, and efficient operation of your AC unit. Temperatures lower than 68 degrees may cause your air conditioner to freeze up and can make the transition of going outdoors very uncomfortable. After a few weeks, the body adapts to the heat so that the 78 degrees in your home will feel comfortable compared to the outdoor heat.

Keep Your Air Conditioner Running

Turning off the AC during the day when you're at work allows the air and the contents of your home to heat up. Cooling them down when you get back home overworks the air conditioner and leaves you feeling uncomfortable for several hours while you wait for things cool down. Instead, an adjustment of just a few degrees while you're away is all that's necessary.

Shut Out The Heat

Keep the curtains closed on the sun facing sides of your home. Sunlight in the summer puts out a lot of heat, which makes your AC unit work harder. Just like you would in the winter to keep out the cold, keep your windows and doors closed in the summer to keep out the heat.

Use Overhead Fans

Overhead fans, which use minimal energy, allow you to feel comfortable at a higher temperature setting. Make sure the fan is directing air downward.

Keep Air Conditioning Vents Clear Of Obstructions

Keep furniture and other objects away from the vents and thermostat. Make sure that outdoor AC units are clear of nearby vegetation.

Avoid Generating Heat

During the hottest times of the day, avoid cooking large meals on your stove, taking long hot baths or showers, doing laundry, or using the dishwasher. These activities pump a lot of heat and humidity into your home.

Keep Your Air Conditioner Maintained

Check your AC filters and clean or replace them if necessary. Call us for a tune up before the dog days of summer arrive.