Its spring and we’re all enjoying the glorious
weather in our dessert this time of year! Summer is the last thing we want to
think about, but this is the best time to prepare for the upcoming summer temperatures.
If you haven’t had your air conditioner (AC) serviced after months of non-use,
we guarantee you won’t be happy when you go to turn on the AC for respite from
raising temps just to discover it isn’t working properly. Even worse is having
your AC go out in the middle of summer due to parts failing that could have
been avoided from a routine servicing.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Scheduling an
annual service appointment is often overlooked, but these service appointments will
not only ensure your home feels cozy year-round, but will also make your system
operate more efficiently, thus saving you money on your monthly utility bills. There
are many advantages associated with keeping your air conditioning system in
proper working order:
- The more efficient your system is, the greater your carbon footprint is reduced.
- You can have greater peace of mind that you have a safer, more reliable system.
- A smoother running system helps you save on your energy bills.
- You will have decreased risk of a system breakdown in the middle of extreme weather.
- Parts will stay in better working order, lessening wear and tear.
There are other things that don’t necessarily need to be
done annually, but should be completed and checked periodically. These will
help make sure you are maximizing your energy savings and comfort level throughout
the extreme temperatures.
- Repair your ductwork – Any damage found in your ductwork is most likely causing conditioned air to leak. Also consider insulating your ducts, as this will keep warm air from seeping out during the winter months.
- Install a programmable thermostat – Why cool your home when no one’s home? This wastes energy and money. Investing in a programmable thermostat allows you to set the thermostat to automatically turn on and off, and will make a huge difference on heating and cooling bills.
- Radiant heat barriers – Have a radiant heat barrier, which is thin layer of metal insulation, installed in your attic in order to reduce the amount of heat transferred here from your home by almost 95 percent.
- Install ceiling fans – During the summer, ceiling fans make you feel cooler, allowing you to keep your thermostat a few degrees higher. Using ceiling fans throughout the year will save energy and energy costs.
