Here in Rapid City, we’re hitting the warmest 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 nice, but sometimes you just want to be able to chill in your home, too. It may be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend crazy amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC pros at Street Heating and Cooling are here to offer a couple tips on how to fully utilize your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not using 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 a day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re gone and arrange for 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 utilized while the air conditioner is running, 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 enter your home through your windows, so make certain that your curtains, blinds and shades are closed during the hot afternoon hours. Even decreasing the sunlight that comes into your home from noon to 5 p.m. can help keep your home a bit cooler and take a load off your AC.
Set up an air conditioner service appointment. We couldn’t let this one slip by, but for a real reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help make sure it operates at its best efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in Rapid City in August is for the AC to stop working, and an air conditioner service visit can also find small fixes before they become huge issues.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re just about through the summer months, you’re probably not looking 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 Rapid City, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these tips, you could even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Street Heating and Cooling at 605-206-3915 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.