We all love the warm weather and long daylight hours that summer brings. When it’s too hot outside, our air conditioning systems make our homes a cool and comfortable haven to return to. However, summer can also mean high energy bills. While working your A/C hard may not be avoidable, there are some easy steps homeowners can take to give the A/C a hand and lower those high energy bills. In this week’s blog, Gold Star Services runs through the best home HVAC tips for summer.

HVAC Tips for Summer Efficiency

Here are some simple steps to take in your home that can help your A/C system not work so hard this summer:

• Use fans. A fan creates a wind chill effect that makes the room seem cooler – which means you can turn your A/C up if a fan is in play. Fans disrupt the air surrounding your body, which speeds heat loss through the skin. A fan uses relatively little power and can make it seem 10 degrees cooler, so it’s definitely worth using. Just remember to turn it off when you leave. Fans only cool you, not the room itself.
• Change your A/C filters. Filters should be changed every 3 months or so. A dirty or clogged filter means the A/C has to work a lot harder to pass air through it. That can contribute to high energy bills.
• Install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats automate temperature adjustments, maximizing both comfort and energy.
• Adjust the temperature. The Department of Energy recommends setting your A/C to 78 degrees. That may sound hot, but if you’re using fans and staying cool in other ways, it should keep you pretty comfortable. The A/C removes humidity, which is a big factor in feeling the heat. So, you should keep your A/C on, but maybe at a higher temperature than you might think, to save big on energy costs.
• Insulate. Seal up cracks in doors and windows to keep cool air from escaping and warm air from getting in. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient new windows is a major step, but one that makes a big difference in energy costs.
• Schedule Maintenance. Professional maintenance is the best way to detect problems that might be making your A/C work harder than it should. It’s the best way to save money over time, no matter what time of year.

Gold Star Services are the Air Conditioning Experts

Contact Gold Star Services at 1-302-947-8694 for expert A/C repairs, replacement, and more tips on how to use A/C efficiently. We look forward to helping to maximize your system’s efficiency and save money on your energy bills!