5 Efficient Ways to Stay Cool During the Summer
When the summer is in full swing, there’s a chance your home will turn into a sauna when you least expect it. And while the simplest solution is to adjust your thermostat and have your central cooling system run at all hours of the day, doing so may increase your energy bills — especially if your system wasn’t tuned up before the first blistering ray of the summer sun appeared.
In a conscious effort to have an efficiently cool summer this year, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.
1. Schedule an Air Conditioning Maintenance Before Summer
We cannot stress this enough: you must schedule an annual precision tune-up with our team. Doing so will not only help prevent the need for substantial repairs down the road, but it will help make your air conditioner work much more efficiently — ultimately helping you pay less in monthly utility costs.
During a central air conditioning tune-up, your HVAC technician will clean the condenser coils of the system, complete a thermostat calibration, examine the coolant levels of your central cooling system, inspect the ductwork for leaks, and much more.
At the end of the precision tune-up, you’ll feel much more at ease knowing that your central air conditioner is in pristine condition and won’t fail when you least expect it.
2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat to Cut Energy Costs
While on the subject of central air conditioning, consider making this the year you upgrade to a smart thermostat. This device is extremely cost-effective since it will help reduce your home’s energy consumption; you’ll see a nice, noticeable difference in your utility bills.
Another perk about a smart thermostat is that it provides homeowners with unmatched flexibility, allowing them to control their central air conditioner with smartphones or tablets. This not only makes it easier to adjust your cooling system from just about anywhere (as long as you have an internet connection), but it will even allow you to monitor how much of the energy your air conditioner is using.
Now since we’ve covered the basics of using your central air conditioner as efficiently as possible, here are some other ways you can beat the heat around your home for a fraction of the cost.
3. Use Larger Appliances Wisely
When you use larger appliances, such as a dishwasher or oven, the temperature in your house may begin to rise, as well as increase your overall energy consumption. In a conscious effort to combat both of these instances, try to only use these appliances during the day’s cooler times — such as night.
4. Eat Foods that Will Keep You Cool
Were you ever curious as to why watermelon is a popular treat at barbeques? As it turns out, watermelon will help regulate your body temperature and keep you cool. Now, if you’re not a fan of this delectable summer staple, here are a few other "cool foods" you should consider stocking up on:
-
Apples
-
Pineapples
-
Cucumbers
5. Don’t Let the Sun Shine In
During the hottest days of the year, ensure the curtains are closed. By doing so, you can help your central air conditioner run much more efficiently since it won’t have to work harder to keep your living space cool.
Now if your home has blinds instead of curtains, you should ensure they’re tilted up in such a way that the rounded side is facing outside. This will help reflect the sun’s rays, keeping them out of your home.
By keeping this helpful tip in mind, your home will be much cooler throughout the day, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you won’t receive a startling utility bill when you least expect it.
HVAC Services in Central Oregon You Can Trust
Whether you’re looking to schedule a tune-up appointment for your central air conditioner or you’re looking to have the system repaired, the experts at Ponderosa Heating & Cooling can help!
To schedule your service appointment, give us a call at (541)-549-1605.
