Keeping your system in check can extend the life of your sytems for years.
Things you should consider no matter who you hire.
Carl was fantastic! He came to our house within 24 hours. Althought it was too late to repair our system he recommened various systems and helped us find the best system for our house and budget.
--Betty Cortez
Ohana Web Services, Owner
These are some useful tips on getting the most out of your system. But even with the best care and maintenance your system may need some professional care. Call State Air Conditioning and Heating for all your cooling and heating needs.
Of course, the best way to reduce your air conditioning bills is to reduce heat in your home, especially during summer months. The tips below can help reduce the workload on your air conditioning solution:
* Set the temperature a little higher. Most people can be comfortable with a setting of 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit, plus you'll save 7 percent to 10 percent of your cooling costs for each degree above 78.
* When you leave home, turn off the air conditioning or set the thermostat up a few degrees.
* Be sure your filters are clean. They should be checked monthly. (Remember to check filters that may be in a unit located in the attic.) Coils of an outdoor unit should be free of debris and not blocked by plants, shrubs, etc. Be sure the return air grill inside your house is not blocked by furniture or other items. (If you have more than one return, check them all.) A return needs a free flow of air for the air conditioning to operate most efficiently.
* Keep doors and windows closed when air conditioning is on. Turn off kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans when your air conditioning is operating.
* Caulk and weather-strip leaky windows and doors.
* Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs. Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms. As a safety precaution, turn off ceiling fans when you leave your home.
* For central air conditioning systems, keep the fan switch on your thermostat in the "auto" position when cooling. This gives you better cooling and humidity control. Having the fan switch "on" continuously could cost $25 extra a month on your electric bill.
* Use shades or drapes to block the hot sun from heating up your home. Use awnings, trees and shrubs to shade your home.
* Use your microwave or countertop appliances for cooking instead of the oven or stove.
* If you suspect your air conditioning system is not cooling properly, have it checked promptly. A unit that is having operational problems can cause extremely high bills.
* If your air conditioning equipment is older and less efficient, compensate by being extra careful about temperature settings, hours of operation and filter condition.
* Make sure your home is properly insulated. In existing homes, wall insulation may be too expensive to install, so concentrate on attic and floor insulation.
* In Florida:
o Ceiling: R-19 or R-30
o Wall: R-11 in frame walls, R-5 in CBS walls
o
Floor: R-11 in floors(suspended frame only)
OR
Contact State Air Conditioning and Heating for an on-site evaluation of your system.
