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To keep your home cool during the summer, you'll want to do more than just run the air conditioner. Consider the following tips to increase comfort while saving you money in the short or long run.
Install Blackout Curtains
The U.S. Department of Energy says that in the summer, just over three-quarters of the sunlight that hits a standard double-pane window enters in to generate heat. This is where window attachments come in, especially blackout curtains. Also known as thermal curtains, these can cut down on the sunlight by as much as 90%, providing solid insulation.
Use Ceiling Fans
The best temperature for both comfort and cost savings 78 degrees. The higher you're able to set the temperature, the more you'll save. By producing a cool sensation, ceiling fans let you raise the setpoint by as much as 4 degrees without any loss of comfort.
Just make sure the fans are rotating counterclockwise to push the cool air down
Reduce the Build-Up of Indoor Heat
By cooking with the oven, washing laundry, and using the shower without the exhaust fan, you'll generate a whole lot of heat indoors. Reduce this build-up by, for example, cooking on a stove with the kitchen exhaust fan and even by using the outdoor grill more often. Hand dry your clothes more frequently, too, and try to take shorter, cooler showers.
Replace Your AC System
Granted, this may seem like an extreme measure compared to the tips given above, but an energy-efficient Carrier AC will be sure to keep your home cool. We recommend replacing systems that are 15 to 20 years old and that are performing poorly despite numerous repairs.