Summer weather in Cambridge can be rough. But you don’t have to pick between being comfortably cool and saving money on your utility expenses. We’ve compiled some tips to make it simple.
The greatest thing you can do to stay comfy and ensure energy efficiency is by maintaining your air conditioner. ENERGY STAR® recommends keeping your system running at its best and efficiently, and Pliescott HVAC Services LLC is able to help. During an AC tune-up appointment, we’ll perform the following tasks recommended by ENERGY STAR and more:
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors to be sure there’s safe operation of your system and the possibility of a longer lifespan for major components.
- Clean the air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils as need be. Dirty coils require your system to operate harder to do its job.
- Check system controls to be sure of proper and safe operation.
- Look at refrigerant levels.
- Clean and adjust blower components to assure proper system airflow.
Another key to remaining cool is routinely inspecting your air conditioner’s air filter. A dirty filter can raise energy bills and damage your equipment, which could lead to untimely failure. Our Pliescott HVAC Services LLC pros will look at these for you at your tune-up appointment, but you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s recommendations to make your own schedule to swap them out.
Here are a few other tips to keep your home cool and energy-efficient:
- Inspect thermostat settings to ensure your air conditioner keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are not around.
- If it is cool at night, you can turn off your air conditioner and open your windows. Let the night air cool your place for you! In the morning, shut your windows and window coverings to hold on to the cool air and block the sun’s heat.
- Take advantage of fans. An ENERGY-STAR ceiling fan will allow you to set your thermostat a tad higher than you normally would without noticing any changes in your comfort level.
- Another kind of fan people often forget about when they’re working to keep cool is their bathroom ventilation fan. Make sure to run yours when you shower as well as 20 minutes or longer after you’re done to take care of the heat and humidity from your house.
- Work to not leave lights on and running many appliances on the hottest days. Obviously, your stovetop and oven are adding heat into your home, but even routine activities like watching TV, working on the computer, and drying or curling your hair can boost the heat in your home.
If you’d like additional ideas on how to keep your home cool and energy efficient this summer, give Pliescott HVAC Services LLC at call at 410-228-4822 or request an appointment with us online.