The brutal temperatures a California summer can be almost impossible to
deal with if your air conditioning system is not working properly. On
the other hand, constantly running your system to keep your home cool
can be pretty expensive. So how do you keep your home cool while saving
money on your energy bills as the calendar reaches its hottest days of
the year? Check out these four simple tips and see how you can spare your
wallet this summer.
1.) Utilize Your Home’s Windows
Temperatures in the desert areas of California tend to swing wildly during
the summer, sometimes as much as 40 degrees or more between the high and
low marks every day. When the sun goes down and outside air temperatures
drop, opening your windows and turning off your air conditioning system
can allow you to stay cool without spending money. When you wake up in
the morning, closing your windows then captures the cool air. You can
then keep the air in your home cool by installing window shades and covers
to prevent direct sunlight from pouring in through windows that are directly
in the sun’s path.
2.) Use Fans
The United States Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy estimates
that using a fan in the room you are in can allow you to raise your thermostat
in your home by about 4 degrees without any reduction in comfort. Make
sure you turn off the fan when you leave the room, however, as the fan
cools you through the wind-chill effect, and doesn’t actually cool
the room itself.
3.) Use Low-Heat Appliances and Lights
It is estimated that a traditional incandescent lightbulb turns only 10-15%
of the electricity it uses into visible light; the rest turns into heat.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs and other energy-efficient lighting solutions
not only last far longer than these bulbs, but produce a mere fraction
of the heat, keeping your home cooler, and your energy bills down all
year-round.
Avoid using high-heat appliances like the oven or dishwasher during the
middle of the day in summer months as they can dramatically heat your
home. Instead of baking or cooking in the oven, use the stove top range
or grill outside for preparing food to help reduce your home’s cooling
costs. Wash your dishes in the dishwasher at night only while leaving
windows open to allow the cooler air to counteract the heat it produces.
4.) Make Sure Your System is Running Properly
Your air conditioner is a complex system, and any number of minor problems
can have a big impact on your energy bills. Even the smallest problems
will cause your air conditioner to have to work much harder and use far
more electricity to keep up with cold air production. Before summer reaches
its highest temperatures, schedule an air conditioner maintenance service
and the technician will examine your entire system and advise you of any
repairs or services needed to keep it running as efficiently as possible
If your air conditioner needs a maintenance service or doesn’t seem
to be working properly, the Murrieta heating and air conditioning technicians at
Correy Baker Heating and Air can help you. We have more than 25 years of experience serving southern
California’s Inland Empire, including the Menifee, Hemet, Lake Elsinore,
and Temecula areas. Our professionals are highly trained in advanced modern
air conditioning systems and can provide you with efficient and reliable
service for your home.
Call Correy Baker Heating and Air at (951) 419-4146 today to schedule a
service or maintenance appointment for your home’s system.