Here in McHenry, we’re hitting the warmest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re searching for as many low-cost ways to stay cool as possible, even air conditioner service. Getting full use of your pool pass is fun, 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 Jett's Heating & Air Inc. are here to share a couple tips on how to make the most of your AC.
Set your programmable thermostat. If you’re not taking advantage of all your programmable thermostat has to provide, you’re missing out on potential savings. In fact, Natural Resources Canada found that you could save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by lowering your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re away during the day 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 maximize the effect of your air conditioner. When a ceiling fan is turned on while the air conditioner is working, you can actually raise the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without impacting your comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can get in to your home through your windows, so ensure 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 tad 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 good reason. Regular maintenance on your HVAC equipment can help make sure it runs at top efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in McHenry in August is for the AC to not work, and an air conditioner service visit can also find small fixes before they become huge concerns.
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 swap out 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 climate in McHenry, you can control the comfort of your home. And with these insights, you might even save a few dollars while staying cool this summer. If your system just can’t compete, call Jett's Heating & Air Inc. at 815-410-1128 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.