Denver heat can be brutal. Your air conditioner keeps your home cool, but when the temperatures soar, you’ll need a little help keeping your cooling costs down.
Sure, you can crank the thermostat as low as it can go and just let your system run non-stop. However, there are some tips you can implement to help boost the cooling effects of your air conditioner and some professional services that will pay out over time on your utility bill.
Keep Windows and Doors Shut
Keep the outside heat out of the house by keeping your doors and windows shut tight while your air conditioner is running. You’ll keep the cool air inside and your air conditioner will struggle less to keep your home comfortable.
Use Window Coverings
Blinds and curtains help block the sunlight from your home, which can help lower the temperature by a couple of degrees. Keep your shades drawn shut during the daytime hours when the sun is shining through.
Turn on Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans have a switch that changes the direction of the blades. During the summer months, flip the switch so that the blades move in a counterclockwise motion. This motion creates a downdraft, giving you a cool breeze.
Utilize Exhaust Fans
Humidity makes your home feel hotter than it is. Use the exhaust fan in your bathroom every time you shower to help draw moisture out of the air so that it doesn’t linger through the house and create stuffy, sticky heat. If you have an exhaust fan in the kitchen, use it while you cook to remove humidity and heat from cooking.
Avoid Heat-Producing Appliances
On days when the temperatures are extreme, avoid heat-producing appliances as much as possible. Skip the oven and stove and opt for a cold meal or cook outside. Save laundry for another day or hang your clothes out on the line to dry. Shut off all devices and electronics and keep lights off when not in use. Lowering your energy consumption in other ways can help offset your cooling costs, and avoiding using appliances and electronics can help keep the temperature inside your home lower.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is essential to keep your air conditioner running optimally. Experts recommend scheduling maintenance every year, preferably in the spring before you start using your air conditioner.
Spring air conditioner maintenance consists of several steps. Your technician will visually inspect your system, looking for signs of damage and impending failure. The technician will lubricate moving parts to protect them from friction, clear the condensate drain so water has a pathway to safely move away from your unit, and clean the AC coils to remove dust and dirt.
The technician will inspect electrical connections and wiring for safety and may calibrate your thermostat if needed. They will assess for proper airflow from the vents and check for strange smells and noises that could indicate a problem. At the completion of annual maintenance, your air conditioner should be ready to give you reliable, safe, and efficient cooling throughout the summer.
Annual maintenance helps keep your air conditioner more efficient by lowering the workload of the system. You’ll see lower utility bills when you keep your system tuned and in peak condition. Additionally, maintenance helps lower the risk of unexpected breakdowns in the middle of summer and extends the life of your system.
Add Insulation
Some areas of your home may not have enough insulation or may have none at all. Lack of insulation lets hot air into your home and allows cold air to escape. If you have poorly insulated areas, consider adding insulation to boost summer cooling. Insulation is an investment that lasts for decades to come, so it is well worth the one-time expense to keep your cooling costs down.
Consider a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat gives you greater control over your air conditioner, whether you are home or away. You can set different times and days for your temperature to change, helping you cut cooling costs. For example, you can set your programmable thermostat to a higher temperature during the day while you are at work and set it to change back to a more comfortable, cooler temperature when you arrive home. This allows you to maintain comfort while at home without wasting energy when the house is empty. A programmable thermostat is a convenient solution as it eliminates the need to manually adjust the temperature each time you leave the house.
Install an HVAC Zoning System
HVAC zoning systems help with energy efficiency by allowing you to control separate areas of the house through separate thermostats. Each zone has its own thermostat and utilizes dampers within the ductwork to open and close them for airflow. You may consider a zone setup for bedrooms, upper floors, and basements, allowing you to have more cooling in areas you use most and less in areas you rarely use.
Stay Cool With a Mini-Split System
Ductless mini-split air conditioners are a great way to get added cooling without overworking your central AC. Mini-split systems have an outside condenser unit similar to your air conditioner but have an indoor fan unit that blows cold air straight from the machine. With a mini-split, you do not need air ducts to spread the cold air. Mini-splits are excellent for bedrooms where you may prefer a colder environment and upstairs areas where your central unit struggles to keep cool.
Schedule Routine Duct Cleaning
Insufficient and uneven airflow can be caused by buildup and clogs inside your air ducts. If cold air isn’t able to move freely through your ducts, your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home. During professional duct cleaning, technicians use a high-suction vacuum and compressed air to move dust, dirt, and debris out of your air ducts. This process leaves a clear and open pathway for cold air to travel from your air conditioner to the vents.
Upgrade Your Air Conditioner
If your current air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old and seems to struggle to keep up while costing you more to run, it may be time to upgrade to a new system. Your technician can help you choose a new air conditioner that fits your home and provides sufficient cooling throughout the house.
At High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we know the struggle of staying cool in the Denver summer heat without breaking the bank. Our technicians can perform comprehensive maintenance to keep your air conditioner efficient and reliable. We also offer skilled repair and replacement services for your HVAC system. In addition, we employ a team of plumbers who can tackle all your household plumbing projects. We offer repairs, drain cleaning, inspections, and sump pump services. We also install and repair water heaters, tankless water heaters, and garbage disposals. With a wide array of heating, cooling, and plumbing services, we are your one-stop home services company.
Keep your cooling costs down this summer by scheduling preventative air conditioner maintenance with the top pros in Denver at High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
