As the temperatures rise, so does our anxiety about keeping our homes cool. But if you want to have the easy way, Santa Monica Golden Air is the answer. Below are the top 10 tips for staying cool:
- Keep the unit in the shade
Keeping your air conditioner in the shade will help keep it running efficiently. Direct exposure to the sun can cause it to work harder and use more energy. If you have a choice, place the unit where there is shade from a tree or building.
- Clean the filter
Clean the filter every month to extend its life and keep your AC at peak performance. The grille on your air conditioner should have a removable filter, which you can remove by hand or with a vacuum cleaner hose attachment.
If it’s too dirty, replace it! Most filters are designed to last between 12 and 18 months before they need replacing again. If more than half of its surface area is covered by dust, then it needs replacing now!
- Set the right temperature
A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat at 78 degrees during the day, then lower it by two degrees at night (76 degrees).
The same applies when you are also away from home, even if it’s just for a few hours or minutes.
- Stay on top of maintenance
Regular maintenance is important to keep your system running efficiently. Most manufacturers recommend that you check your filters and thermostats at least once a month during the summertime. Keep an eye on how often your unit is running as well—if it’s going full blast for hours at a time, chances are something isn’t working properly.
- Seal air leaks
Fixing a leaky window or door is an easy way to save money on your power bill. But, before you do anything else, make sure you’re on track with best practices for sealing air leaks in your home and reducing your energy bill.
Find out where the leaks are by using an infrared camera or a blower door test (this can be done without hiring anyone). If you have a fireplace, use it more often; even though it will make the house warmer, it’ll also help improve comfort levels by drawing heat out of the living room and into the kitchen, where nobody wants to hang out in summertime!
- Close curtains, blinds, and windows
Make sure to always close your curtains, blinds, and windows tightly when you are not at home. This will help keep out any dust that may accumulate during the day and also prevent the circulating air from escaping. You should also consider installing timers so the blinds automatically close up when you go out or leave for work or school in the morning.
- Use fans to keep air circulating
If you live in a region where the temperatures are reaching record highs, it’s important to use fans to keep air circulating. You can:
- Open all the windows and doors in your house.
- Set up fans so they blow directly onto hot surfaces such as walls, floors, and furniture—but not AC units (you don’t want to blow them over).
- Use an exhaust fan to pull moisture out of the air when cooking or showering.
- Keep moisture under control
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. It can make one feel comfortable or uncomfortable, depending on its levels. You can use the AC to lower down the humidity level so that the unit doesn’t work harder than necessary while keeping your comfort at bay. High humidity makes our bodies sweat more than normal and causes irritation to the skin, eyes, and throats.
- Turn off other appliances or wait for them to finish before starting the AC system.
Turn off other appliances. The AC will not be able to cool the entire house if you have other appliances running (e.g., dishwasher or laundry machine).
Wait for other appliances to finish before starting the AC system. Doing so can help beat the heat and save energy at once.
- Insulate your attic, doors, and windows
Insulating your attic, doors, and windows is one of the best ways to keep your home cool in the summer by keeping heat from entering through walls and ceilings. It can also help you save money on heating costs during winter by preventing the heat from escaping.
There are various types of insulation available today: fiberglass (in rolls), foam board (in sheets), cotton batting (in bags), and loose fill cellulose that’s blown into wall cavities or attics.
All of them work well—the key is finding out which type works best in your area:
- R-19 insulation for all exterior walls
- R-38 for ceilings over bedrooms
- R-49 for crawl spaces below conditioned spaces (bedrooms or living rooms)
- R-60 for attics over conditioned spaces
You can also take some time to research the different types of air conditioners, like a central HVAC system, so that you know exactly what type of system is right for you. Remember that it’s important to stay on top of maintenance and get professional help if needed!
If you want your HVAC system to always be on top of its game, always have a good maintenance routine. We at Santa Monica Golden Air can help you with that, so give us a call today!