When temperatures skyrocket, our first instinct is to run our air conditioners at full blast. Though the relief is almost instantaneous (or at least it should be), this is quite problematic. Running your air conditioner at full capacity or at its lowest temperature setting can make a real dent in your wallet. Before you know it, you’ll be seeing high energy bills and increased wear and tear on the system. So, what do you do?
It is quite possible that you can keep your home nice and cool this summer without relying solely on your AC, and below, we are going to tell you how! All you have to do is keep reading to find out more!
Here’s What You Can Do
There are plenty of ways to make your home feel nice and cool, even when temperatures outside soar. Here’s what you can do:
1) Use Your Curtains
It’s no secret that the sun is hot, and if it’s shining in through your windows, it’s going to bring in a lot of excess heat. All this excess heat is going to make your home feel extra warm and force your air conditioner to work harder to do its job. One thing you can do to keep excess heat out of your home is close your curtains on your south and west-facing windows. This is a great way to keep out the sun’s hot rays and keep your home feeling nice and cool.
2) Turn on Your Ceiling Fan
If you’ve got ceiling fans in your home, turn them on! Your ceiling fan works to better circulate cool, conditioned air throughout your home so that your AC doesn’t have to do all the work. Not only will this lower your monthly cooling costs, but it will make you feel much cooler and much more comfortable as a result.
3) Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to preset your desired comfort levels for certain hours of the day. This will allow your AC to maintain temperature during milder periods of the day and reduce the need for your system to play “catch up” during the hottest part of the day. This is a great way to keep your home cool, comfortable, and energy efficient!
4) Minimize Indoor Cooking
Stoves and ovens generate a lot of heat… even boiling water can make your home feel quite warm! Therefore, one way you can keep your home cool this summer is by taking your cooking outdoors. Who doesn’t love a good barbeque?
5) Enjoy a Quicker, Cooler Shower
Taking a cooler, quicker shower is a great way to reduce the level of humidity in your home, which can have a huge impact on comfort and efficiency. Additionally, be sure to run your bathroom exhaust fan during and after showering.
6) Schedule AC Maintenance
Annual preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure that your air conditioner is working efficiently and effectively all summer long! During your maintenance visit, your technician will thoroughly inspect your system to locate and correct minor issues before they become major. This is key to ensuring you and your family stay cool and comfortable, even during the hottest heatwave.
For all things air conditioning in Cincinnati, OH, trust the team at Bartels Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!