[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the summer temperatures already in full swing, many Central Kentucky homeowners are already struggling to stay cool. While the sweltering summer season may be difficult for you and your family, it can also be extremely difficult for your cooling system. Rising temperatures and staggering humidity, can significantly strain your system and result in costly energy bills and costly system repairs. Help beat the summer heat and protect your cooling system with our 5 Summer Air Conditioning Tips.

Make Sure Your Home Is Sealed

The seals around your windows, doors, and other areas are crucial during the extreme summer conditions. Proper seals throughout your home will help keep hot, humid air outside and cool, conditioned air inside. Cracks throughout these seals, will cause your cooling system to work harder to achieve the same indoor temperature as before. This summer, take some time to walk throughout your home and check the seals around your home for any air leaks. A correctly sealed home will prevent any additional spikes in your energy bills and any unneeded stress on your cooling system.

Program Your Thermostat

Controlling your cooling system’s thermostat is one of the easiest ways to control your cooling bills. As the temperatures rise outside, it may be tempting to set your thermostat to a low temperature for the entire day to ensure your house stays cool. Conversely, you may attempt to limit your energy bills by turning your cooling system off before you leave for the day, and cranking it back up as soon as you arrive home. However, both of these options create issues for you and your cooling system. It is harder on your system to adjust to quick changes in temperature, and it is harder on your energy bills to keep your system continuously running as low as possible.

The best option for both you and your budget is to set and raise your thermostat. The Department of Energy states that setting your thermostat back by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can help you save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bill. Delegating when you need your home to reach a certain temperature ahead of time, also allows your cooling system to gradually increase and decrease, rather than rush to meet sporadic spikes.

Change Your Air Filter

Your air filter is one of the most crucial pieces of your cooling system. The main function of your air filter is to remove harmful contaminants from the air before they can enter your home. With a clean air filter, this process leaves your family with a healthy air supply and a healthy flow of air throughout your system. However, with an old or dirty air filter, your system must work harder to circulate clean air throughout your home. By working harder, your system wears down faster by expending even more energy for the same cooling results.

You can easily prevent these issues and keep your system running efficiently, by frequently changing your air filter. The recommended frequency to change your filter will vary depending on several different factors. Your type of filter, your sensitivity to allergens, and other issues can all help determine when to change your filter. For any type however, be sure to change or clean your filter before and during the summer season.

Maintain Proper Humidity

With the outdoor temperatures soaring, you should expect to feel an increased level of humidity throughout your home. However, while a small rise in humidity is expected, your home should never feel uncomfortably humid. In fact, proper humidification levels throughout your home are a key indicator to your overall comfort. The more humid your indoor air, the warmer you will feel, since moist air retains heat much more than dry air. With the air inside your home retaining more heat, you and your family will feel more heat. An excessive humidity level throughout your home, then, will create uncomfortable conditions and have you and your family constantly lowering the thermostat. If you’re concerned about the humidity levels in your home, have a licensed technician fully examine your system. Your cooling system may not be efficiently conditioning your air or external conditions in your home may be preventing it from doing so. Home issues like poor insulation or poor seals around your windows and doors, can allow for excess humidity levels, even with a properly functioning cooling system. In cases such as these, you may need to consider investing in a dehumidifier to help your cooling system maintain a comfortable humidity.

Schedule A System Check   

A licensed technician should completely inspect your heating and cooling system at least twice a year. Especially moving into a peak season, you want to ensure that every aspect of your cooling system is in a good working order and performing as efficiently as possible. A complete check of your system can help prevent any major breakdowns and keep your energy bills in a reasonable range for the summer heat.

For more summer air conditioning tips, or to schedule a System Check Up and Safety Inspection, call Fayette Heating & Air at 859-233-0424. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]