Many of us may have fond childhood memories of running out of the house with your friends in your shorts and heading to that big ‘ol swing over the pond nearby. That was the preferred method to cool off on those sweltering hot and humid days of summer. Unfortunately that’s more of a fond childhood memory, which is less of a reality inside the beltway for most of us.
There are some relatively simple ways to help keep your home cool and help take the pressure off your central AC system. In the end I am sure many of us would just prefer to throw on a pair cut off shorts, run off with friends to the nearest lake or pond and relive the glory days, however, this could cause potential issues with your boss.
Use Air Conditioning and Fans Wisely
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
- Use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner to adjust the setting at night or when no one is home.
- Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread cool air effectively throughout your home without greatly increasing power use.
- Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It won’t cool your home any faster, and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.
- Don’t place lamps or TVs near your air conditioners thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
Shade your windows – sunny windows make air conditioners work two to three times harder.
- Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day.
- Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
- Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing window’s.
Following a few or all the tips above will help you stay cool during the summer heat and put less stress on your AC system and your wallet! Just call 703-214-5611!
