Warm Weather Tips

Keeping You Cool This Summer

Summer brings the sunshine, warmer temperatures, green trees, and your favorite vacation destinations. Summer is actually one of the best times to try to save on energy costs. Action Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, Inc. presents tips below that can help maximize your savings during the summer months.

Air Conditioning Tune Up

The first priority for your summer maintenance checklist is to have your air conditioning (AC) unit professionally tuned up. It's as important as getting your car tuned up regularly. Your AC needs to be tuned in order to inspect and prevent unwanted emergency repairs. As part of the tune up your refrigerant levels are inspected, which is important for your air conditioner to keep running cool and keep your electric bills lower in the summer, the fan is also inspected to insure properly functioning, the coils are thoroughly cleaned and a check is made for any old or faulty wiring to eliminate potential fire hazards.

Changing your air filters often can help keep your AC running and lower your bills. Action advises changing them once a month when using your unit on a daily basis.

Operate Your Thermostat Efficiently

Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature. Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings. Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use Ceiling Fans To Cool Your Home

Ceiling fans are considered the most effective of these types of fans, because they effectively circulate the air in a room to create a draft throughout the room. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. The standard human comfort range for light clothing in the summer is between 72 F and 78 F. To extend the comfort range to 82 F, you need a breeze of about 2.5 ft/sec or 1.7 mph. A slow-turning ceiling-mounted paddle fan can easily provide this air flow.

Clean Gutters

Cleaning out your gutters regularly will help prevent clogging and unnecessary leaks. It is recommended that gutters be cleaned twice a year: once at late spring/early summer after flowers, seeds and blossoms are all done blowing off, and once again at late fall/early winter, after all of the leaves have fallen and prior to the first snowfall.

Water Wisdom

Water usage in typical homes tends to increases in the summer months. Check all of your appliances and fixtures for leaks and overall condition. Have your sump pump checked to make sure it’s operating in top condition to be ready for strong summer storms that may blow your way. Set your water heater to 120ºF to save a little on your bills. Are your kids home from school? Keep the plungers close at hand!

Call Action Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, Inc. at 608-249-DRIP for all your plumbing, electrical and HVAC needs this summer!