How to Keep Warm Air from Creeping into Your Home This Spring & Summer
The hot humid air is starting to creep into the Kansas City area already, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep it from creeping into your home. We all love when winter ends, and the sun warms our city and our souls, but once our homes start heating up, things get uncomfortable, and fast. If you follow Lancaster Brother’s Heating & Cooling’s four steps to keep warm air from creeping into your home this season (all approved by Energy.gov), you’ll be much happier with the comfort level of your home, and your energy bills.
Use Your Windows to Your Advantage
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When the air cools down at night, turn off your AC system and open your windows. Then in the morning, close the windows and blinds to capture the cool night air inside, and to keep the sun’s warm rays from heating up your home.
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Install window coverings on your windows to decrease heat gain through your windows.
Learn How to Use Your Thermostat Effectively
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Keep your thermostat set as high as you can while still being comfortable during the summer. For optimal savings, keep the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures as close as you can stand.
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Use a programmable thermostat to create different settings for different parts of the day. Keep your house warmer than usual when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting back to a more comfortable level only when you are at home and need cooling.
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Don’t turn the dial on your thermostat to an extremely cool temperature in hopes that it will cool your home more quickly. It won’t, but it will make your air conditioner work harder than it needs to, costing you more dollars.
Keep Your Air Conditioning System as Efficient as Possible
Change your dirty air filters regularly. Filthy filters make it harder for your system to distribute air, meaning it has to use more energy (and money) to do its job of keeping you comfortable.
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Schedule regular maintenance, like air conditioner tune-ups before the heat of the season. It will keep your system healthy and humming, and will reduce the chance of breakdowns.
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Keep heat emitting lights or other appliances away from your thermostat. They can confuse your system into thinking it’s warmer than it actually is in your home, causing your system to run longer and harder than it needs to.
Minimize Other Heat Factors
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Avoid using the oven or taking long hot showers on hot summer days
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Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient alternative bulbs. These emit less heat, and save you money on your bills.
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Try to minimize activities that generate heat. Things like running a computer, burning open flames, running a dishwasher or clothes washer or dryer, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers all create enough heat to offset your air conditioner.
Call Lancaster Heating & Cooling this spring and summer to help you keep the heat from creeping in. We handle all air conditioner repairs in Kansas City homes, and have great maintenance plans. Call us at (913) 837-2000 today.