Here in Portland, we’re hitting the hottest months of the summer sun. This also means that you’re searching for as many inexpensive 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 hang out in your home, too. It might be the hottest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend crazy amounts on your cooling bills.
Your HVAC team at Three Rivers Heating & Cooling 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 can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling just by programming your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours during the day. Set your thermostat to cool less when you’re away during the day and set 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 used while the air conditioner is operating, you can actually increase the temperature on your thermostat a couple degrees without impacting your comfort.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. A lot of heat can enter 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 bit cooler and take the workload 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 operates at its best efficiency when it needs to. Plus, the last thing you want in Portland in August is for the AC to not work, and an air conditioner service visit can also catch small fixes before they become larger problems.
Consider energy efficiency. Given that we’re nearly through the summer months, you’re probably not wanting 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 climate in Portland, 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 Three Rivers Heating & Cooling at 503-213-4433 for any of your air conditioner service and repair needs.