Ways to Save on Atlanta Cooling Costs in Late Summer
August 7, 2017

air-conditioning-plastic-grillAs we move into the last part of summer (wow, August already?), it’s a good time to make sure that we don’t slip into bad habits with air conditioning. We know it’s easy to start leaving the AC running more than it should because we’re simply sick of the heat. But late summer is an important time to be vigilant about air conditioning use: not only will this help keep utility bills under control, but it can prevent unnecessary repair calls and help extend the cooling system’s service life.

Here are some tips for reining in the high costs of air conditioning in Dunwoody, GA during the late summer season:

Keep up with regular air filter changes

This is probably the number one easily avoidable reason for paying too much for air conditioning. The air filter in the HVAC system will become clogged with dust and lint after 1 to 3 months and will need to be swapped for a fresh one. (If you don’t know how to do this, we’ve penned a helpful guide.) When bills start to rise, change the air filter and then keep up with routine changes.

Manage the thermostat: raise it, don’t lower it!

How low can your thermostat go? Probably down to 60°F. But you shouldn’t set it so low! In fact, we recommend you set it as high as your household finds comfortable. This isn’t just because it lowers how often the air conditioner runs. It also slows down heat gain in the house. Our recommendation (and the U.S. Department of Energy’s as well) is to aim for 78°F. If that’s too warm, start lower and then raise the temperature by a degree each day until people become used to the higher setting.

Open up the home at night and shut down the AC

Nights are cooler, and you can take advantage of this by opening up windows when the temperature outdoors drops down below the 78°F we mentioned above. Run the air conditioner’s fan without the compressor (“fan only” mode) to help circulate the cooler night air around the house.

Have the AC repaired as soon as you notice warning signs

A malfunctioning AC, even if the malfunction doesn’t prevent the system from cooling the house, will force the system to work harder than it should and waste money. When you hear strange noises from the air conditioner cabinet or detect hot spots in parts of the house, have professionals take a look to see if the unit needs repairing.

Invest in a better thermostat

What type of thermostat do you use to run the HVAC system? Is it the same one that was there when you moved in? You may want to upgrade, especially if the current thermostat is a manual sliders-or-dials model or a digital model without any programming features. Basic programmability goes a long way in keeping the AC from running unnecessarily while still allowing you to enjoy comfort.

When you need help with your AC, we’re the people to call! We offer air conditioning service in Cumming, GA and throughout North Atlanta.

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