The beautiful summer weather in Edgewater, Maryland, makes enjoying the outdoors with family and friends a lot of fun. However, it also means you’ll need to use your air conditioner more often. You can keep your utility bills low by cleaning regularly, adding insulation, installing ceiling fans, and maintaining your home’s HVAC system. These steps can also extend the system’s life and increase the value of your home.
1. Cleaning Regularly
Regular cleaning can improve your home’s indoor air quality and reduce allergy or asthma symptoms in your family. It can also help you increase your HVAC system’s life and save energy. You should vacuum and dust at least twice per week and put floor mats in front of all your doors to keep people from tracking in dirt and dust. Use a vacuum cleaner that has strong suction, rotating brushes, and a good air filter so dust and dirt won’t escape through the exhaust. With less dust, your HVAC system’s air filter will last longer before you need to change it.
Have a professional clean the ductwork about every five years to reduce dust, mold, and other contaminants as well. You should also clean the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans once per year. Just turn off the power, and then remove the cover and clean the fan blades with a toothbrush.
2. Adding Insulation
Add insulation to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Add it to your basement or attic and use caulk or weatherstripping around windows and doors. Check the weatherstripping and insulation at least once per year for gaps from mold, pests, and other problems. There are many types of insulation available, and they can help you keep pollen and other allergens out of your home. You can also add thick curtains, shades, or storm windows to keep your family comfortable all year.
Adding window coverings like curtains or shades can keep the hot sun out of your home during the day and trap cool air inside at night for better comfort. For even more insulation, add caulk or weatherstripping in any gaps around windows or doors.
3. Installing Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans create a pleasant breeze, making you feel cooler without changing your home’s temperature. That way, you can use your air conditioner less and save money while staying comfortable.
In spring and summer, fans should turn counterclockwise to push air downwards. In fall and winter, you can change the direction of your ceiling fans so that they push air towards the ceiling and then towards the walls. Since heat rises, this makes your rooms feel warmer and moves the air without causing a breeze. To change your fans’ settings, climb a ladder or stepladder and then flip the small switches in the centers of your fans to make the blades turn clockwise.
4. Maintaining Your HVAC System
You should have your heating and air conditioning system checked by a professional at least once per year. That way, you can have any problems repaired before they get bigger and keep your system running at peak efficiency. Also, check your HVAC system’s air filter once per month and change it when it gets dirty, or at least every three months.
Plant some trees or install an awning near your outdoor HVAC unit to provide shade and save energy. Also, keep debris like grass clippings, leaves, twigs, or branches away from your outdoor HVAC unit. You can also build a fence or plant attractive flowering bushes for extra protection from the wind and sun. Just make sure your heater and air conditioner have at least two feet of space on all sides for good airflow. That way, you can avoid an expensive, inconvenient breakdown.
Griffith Energy Services has more than 100 years of HVAC experience, and we’re a Factory Authorized Dealer with Trane Air Conditioning, Columbia Boiler Co., Regal Warm Air Furnaces, and Climate Master Geothermal Heat Pumps. We can help you install, maintain, and repair a wide variety of heating and air conditioning systems. Call us anytime at 888-474-3391 for excellent service from our experienced technicians.
Image provided by Shutterstock
