With the mercury on the rise temperatures are hitting triple digits. James Woolley, president of Central Heating and Air Conditioning, provides some tips to stay cool this summer.
1. It is important to install a Wi-Fi thermostat.
You can adjust the temperature throughout the day from your smart phone. We recommend WI-FI programmable thermostats, because you can adjust these via a smart phone, so if you are coming home early or late, you can make adjustments from anywhere.
2. It is important to switch ceiling fans to turn counter clockwise in the summer.
They use no more electricity than a standard light bulb, and the breeze from the fan can make you feel 3-4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the temperature on your thermostat, but still stay comfortable. Turn off the fans when not in the room, they only cool people, not the actual room temperature.
3. Proper attic insulation and attic insulation tents will also help save money each week.
He recommends attic insulation is R-49 or R-38 for a vaulted ceiling, which amounts to 16.5 inches of insulation in the attic.
Every home will benefit from adding insulation to the recommended levels. It is important to clean AC filters monthly during the summer and have a biannual Central Maintenance Agreement on your equipment. These tune–ups can greatly improve efficiency which will lower monthly bills. Older homes 10 plus years or older, commonly have SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 8¬ to 12, or even less as the system ages. Newer air conditioning equipment has SEER ratings all the way up to 25, which will have a dramatic impact on cooling cost. Most new homes today are being built with 16 SEER systems. It is important to repair leaking ducts and block the sun from overheating your home. Shades, blinds, drapes can make a big difference, as well as planting trees or shrubs. Also, where practical, an exterior awning can help.
