Hire It Done with Adam Helfman

More "Cool" for Less Cost

5 Tips for Cool Comfort This Summer

With the temperatures soaring, everyone’s asking Adam about Air Conditioning.  Here are some of the most frequent Q&A about A/C: 

 

Q:   What can we do to cut our energy bills but still keep cool this summer?

A:

Get a Programmable digital thermostat – it allows you to set the temperature higher during the day when you aren’t home.  Consider the temperature you set:  If you are comfortable at 72, set it up 2 degrees and you’ll find you are still very comfortable, but using less energy.  And, keep your fan turned to “on” – not “auto” – it will distribute the cool air around your home, so you don’t get warm “pockets”, and have better 2^nd floor cooling; many people have a freezing 1^st floor in an effort to make the 2^nd floor comfortable – you really just need to move the air around more effectively. 

 

Q:   How important is maintenance – do I need an A/C checkup every year?

A:

Talk about cost savings!  A poorly maintained air conditioner can cost you up to 50% more on your energy bills!   I recommend 2 checkups every year – in the spring for your air conditioning, and in the fall for your furnace.  Keeping them maintained will save you big dollars all through the year.  You should also investigate the newer high efficiency units available today – in many cases, they pay for themselves in just a few years and keep you more comfortable in the process.

 

Q:   Are there thing I can do myself to make sure my A/C is running right?

A:  

Absolutely!  Here is my “Top 5” list to keep you cool:

1.       Rinse off your A/C unit outside – just take a hose and wash away all the dogwood and debris that gets sucked into the screens

2.       Trim the trees and bushes around your unit – anything within 2 feet of your unit can cause it to have to work harder than needed, and that increases your cooling bills

3.       Replace the air filter – I recommend a 4” media filter – but if you have the 1” variety, make sure to replace it every month to keep the system working well

4.       Check for ice buildup on the condenser hose (copper line) running into the house – it can be a sign of a plugged air filter or a refrigerant leak

5.       Get that programmable digital thermostat we talked about – it will make a huge difference – and set it for 78 or 80 when you’re not home

 

If you need a quality HVAC company to come service your Air Conditioner, or are thinking about a new unit, just go to “request a quote” on HireItDone.com and we’ll send you up to 4 pre-screened experts you can trust!