Hoo-boy, it’s starting to get warm. I know that it feels warmer to me because I’m a dog with a thick black coat and have to do all my sweating through my paws or by panting. But we’re only getting into the deeps of summer now, so I know that much hotter and more humid days are coming up, and all you humans are going to need your air conditioner running on a pretty regular basis.
And I also know—because air conditioners are part of my job—that this mean you humans will start to rack up some bigger electrical bills. Air conditioners account for a hefty chunk of any home’s electric use over summer, and there’s not much we can do to change that. But what we can change is the size of that chunk. And I’ve listed the two best ways to lower your costs this summer when it comes to air conditioning.
Tip #1
Clean and maintain your cooling equipment so that it performs at its peak.
A dirty and neglected air conditioner simply cannot work at its highest energy efficiency, and that will end up costing you in unnecessarily elevated bills. Summer dirt and dust from lawn mowing and all that traffic in and out of your house—that can add up for your AC! Make sure you change the filter at least once a month. (I have some extra help on how to do this.)
Tip #2
Raise the temperature!
I know you’re immediately thinking I sound a bit cracked, like the heat has already affected my canine brain. But what I mean is you should turn up the thermostat to the warmest temperature at which you feel comfortable. My recommendation (and the Department of Energy agrees) is to aim for 78°F during the day when people are home. Maybe start a bit lower than that, and bump it up a degree each day until everybody gets used to it.
To make it easier, consider an upgrade to a Wi-Fi thermostat. You can raise or lower the temperature from your smart phone or computer, and you won’t have to worry about keeping the AC running when there are no people or pets home.
We’re Here to Help!
Pay attention to when there are trouble signs from your air conditioner so you know to call for help. Anything that seems a bit “off”—such as a drop in cooling, odd noises, the AC refusing to cycle off—is a reason to have pros look into it. Repairs done sooner will cost a lot less than doing them as an emergency later.
If you need actual service to get your AC working again, you can trust to our team for all your air conditioning repair and replacement services in Maryville, TN.
Contact Russell & Abbott for your cooling needs. And be sure to visit RussellAndAbbott.com to read our customer reviews. Your friends and neighbors give us 4.6 stars! And that’s no surprise to us: we have 40 years of history in the same community. We take pride both in our expertise and our professional courtesy.