In this special Today’s Homeowner Podcast, we are listing 7 tips that will help keep you cool during these hot summer months.
1. Save Heat-Generating Activities For the Evening
Performing tasks such as using your clothes dryer, dishwasher, or oven are heat-generating activities, which may increase the temperature inside your home. It is best to wait until the evening, when the temperature outside is cooler, before engaging in such activities. Things like cooking your gourmet meals can also generate heat, so it is best to do so during cooler hours of the day.
Similarly, doing laundry can result in increased humidity in the laundry room. Therefore, it is recommended to do this task in the evening to avoid the additional heat gain from the sun and the heat generated by the dryer and other appliances.
Also, grilling is a popular activity, but it can also make you feel warm. Using a fan while grilling can help keep you cool and prevent heat gain inside your house.
2. Reduce Solar Heat Gain
To minimize the amount of heat that enters your home from the sun, it is advisable to keep your window treatments such as drapes or blinds closed during the day. The sun’s rays can cause a rise in temperature inside your house, therefore shutting the curtains will be beneficial. Additionally, this will reduce the workload of your air conditioner.
Particularly for windows facing South and West, closing blinds and curtains is especially important.
Also, it is recommended to establish a routine, such as closing the blinds or curtains before leaving for work each day.
3. Utilize Ceiling Fans Correctly
It’s common for households to have ceiling fans nowadays, with most people owning one or two. However, what many people fail to realize is that the majority of ceiling fans come with a feature that allows you to change the direction of the blade.
During the summer, it’s best to have your fan turning counterclockwise as it cools you down. It’s also worth noting that the fan doesn’t cool the entire room, just you. To save on electricity, it’s recommended to turn off the fan when you’re not in the room.
Nevertheless, a ceiling fan can be very effective in cooling you down by several degrees, which then allows you to turn up the air conditioner a degree or two, ultimately saving you money.
4. Maintain Your Current Air Conditioner
It’s important to keep up with simple home maintenance tasks like changing your return air filter. Whether you’ve recently moved into a new place or built a new home, it’s crucial to locate your return air to ensure the filter is clean. Some filters are reusable and can be rinsed with a hose, dried, and put back in place. Others are disposable and should be replaced every few months, especially during the summer when there’s more air flowing through.
Additionally, it’s essential to pour a cup of white vinegar into your condensation line to prevent algae or mold buildup that could cause your system to malfunction and leave you uncomfortably hot.
5. Seal The Envelope of Your Home
One helpful tip for keeping your home cool is to ensure that it is properly sealed. Take a leisurely stroll around your house and inspect for any small cracks or gaps near hose bibs, dryer vents, gas lines, and windows. Not only can these gaps let insects into your home, but they can also allow cold air to escape.
People often ask, “Will caulking these areas really make a difference?” The answer is definitely yes. The more you can prevent hot air from infiltrating and influencing the comfortable air inside your home, the more money you’ll save, and the less your air conditioning system will have to work. The good news is that it doesn’t cost much to seal up all the areas necessary to create a sealed envelope for your home.
6. Schedule a Seasonal Inspection
Remember to schedule a preventative maintenance visit from your HVAC technician. They can detect and address any hidden issues or anything you missed that may disrupt your system’s smooth operation. By doing this, you can avoid emergency situations, especially during the hottest day of the year.
Additionally, regular maintenance ensures that your air conditioning unit is functioning efficiently and reduces the likelihood of costly replacements or repairs. Stay cool and save money by taking care of your HVAC system.
7. Upgrade Your System
If you’re unsure about the age of your system, you can check the model number to determine its age. However, it’s important to note that most air conditioning and heating systems have a lifespan of around 12 years. While they may continue to function beyond that, they won’t be as efficient as newer models.
If you’re looking to upgrade, a variable-speed heat pump is an excellent choice. This type of system can both cool and heat your home by removing heat and humidity in warm weather and reversing the process in cooler temperatures. It’s an energy-efficient option that will help keep your home comfortable year-round while also reducing your power bill.
For more information visit americanstandardair.com.
