Top Tips: How to Beat the Heat in Your Home

As the outside temperature rises it can be difficult to keep your home's internal temperature cool. Here are some helpful tips to ensure you stay cool this summer:

• Remember The Rule of 20 - As a general rule, your air conditioner is designed for a  20-degree temperature change. So, if it's 100 degrees outside, the cooled air inside would only be 80 degrees. Therefore, try not to let your home become uncomfortably warm since your unit won't be able to cool it down within a reasonable amount of time.

• Change Filters - Changing your filters regularly can increase efficiency. Filters are designed to prevent dirt and debris from accessing your unit and to improve indoor air quality. Dirty filters impede airflow, reducing efficiency,  increasing energy bills, and shortening equipment lifespan.

• Close Windows & Doors - Don't air condition the outdoors needlessly!  Remember to close windows and doors quickly. Slowly shutting windows and doors can quickly leech cold air from your home.

• Hands-off the Thermostat - Avoid Yo-Yoing your thermostat. Keep your thermostat within 2-3 degrees throughout the day. Avoid the temptation to turn up the temperature when you leave in the morning and then back down when you return home in the evening. Your AC cools at the same rate no matter the setting. In fact, it takes more energy for your system to re-cool the air that's been warmed throughout the day. The greater the variance in temperature, the harder your system needs to work to achieve the desired temperature.

• Comfort Balance Your Air Flow - "Comfort balance" is the term for directing cold air to higher levels in the summer an opposite in the winter. Close vents on lower levels to direct airflow upward.

• Utilize your Fan - Consider setting your fan to "ON" during extreme heat, you can balance interior temperatures by pushing air through the ductwork continuously while the compressor cycles on and off.  

• Outdoor Units - Keep outdoor units clean and clear of debris to encourage airflow around the units. Ensure the units are free of grass clippings and consider shading the area around your unit so your system performs more efficiently.

• Air Flow - Combat humidity by running ceiling fans. In the summer, they should be set to "forward," which means the blades rotate counter-clockwise and move air downward.

• Humidifiers - Humidity is your home's enemy during the summer months so be sure your system's humidifiers are off.  

Maintenance is essential for keeping your system performing optimally.  Regular tune-ups reduce the risk of experiencing common malfunctions. Consider signing up for a service agreement to prevent problems from arising.