You need to do what you can to get your home ready for the hot weather in spring. Cooling your home could be expensive and difficult if you don’t prepare in advance.
Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to make your air conditioner more efficient and your home easier to cool. The following are five great ways to prepare your home for the hot weather this spring and summer.
Set Your Ceiling Fan to Move in the Counterclockwise Direction
You should be aware of the direction your ceiling fans are rotating. You’re supposed to switch your ceiling fan direction in the fall and spring.
If you set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise, it will distribute warmer air down into your room. Therefore, your ceiling fans should rotate clockwise during the winter. You want your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise during the spring and summer so it will create a cool breeze in your rooms without needing to run your air conditioning.
Put in Window Coverings
Exterior window coverings like screen shades and awnings prevent the hot sun from making your home’s interior warmer. You can save on air conditioning bills by installing window coverings before spring arrives. Even something as simple as opaque curtains can make a big difference. There are also clear films that adhere to glass that can be a bit trickier to put on but will work well if you don’t want to make any drastic changes.
Have Your AC Equipment Inspected
Call your local HVAC technician to inspect your air conditioner before you start using it again when the temperature gets warmer. Your HVAC technician can take care of any routine maintenance like cleaning the refrigerator coils in the AC unit. They can also perform any necessary air conditioning repair so that your AC system is in good condition when you need it.By making this a part of your spring routine, you won’t have any surprises in the summer when you really need your AC to work.
Check for Air Leaks
Air leaks in your home detract from the efficiency of all of your HVAC equipment. If you’re concerned about keeping your home cool this summer, check for cracks, holes, or gabs around your windows and doors. You can put caulking or weather-stripping on any problem areas to minimize any air leaks.
If this isn’t something that you fell comfortable checking yourself, there are services that will come scan your property with thermal cameras to pinpoint any gaps in your home’s insulation. If you have an older home, this could make a huge difference in the efficiency of your HVAC system. If your home was built in the last 20 years or so, it will be less likely you can significantly raise the efficiency this way.
Switch Out Your AC Filter
One of the most important and easiest AC maintenance tasks you need to do is switch out your air filter on a regular basis. Your AC unit won’t function as efficiently as it should if the filter inside it is old and clogged. Check your AC unit’s model information online for the recommended schedule.
Taking care of the above-mentioned tasks will keep you comfortable and minimize your utility bills this summer. Contact your HVAC technician if you’d like to learn more about things to do to stay cool in your home during the hot summer months.