Ways To Stay Cool This Summer Without Expensive Heating And AC Repair | Dallas, TX
According to Energy.gov, heating your home accounts for about 29 percent of your utility bill. And while regular HVAC tune-up reduces your utility bill, working on other factors affecting energy usage also helps. We’ll talk about effective ways to efficiently heat and cool your home, in this article. If you have questions, feel free to contact one of our heating and AC repair service technicians in Dallas, TX.
Tips to Cool Your Living Spaces In the Summer:
Use blackout drapes to block off heat. Cover your windows with blackout curtains during the day to keep light and heat out. Consider getting drapes equipped with a reflective material to bounce back the sun’s rays. By blocking the heat, your AC won’t have to work harder to maintain your home’s temperature. As a result, you avoid unexpected breakdowns that may cost a lot in heating and AC repairs.
Install a radiant barrier. If you live in a hotter climate, contact a heating and AC repair technician for radiant barrier installation. Radiant technology is effective at reducing your home’s temperature, helping you save energy. With the barrier, you can avoid straining your AC and calling a heating and AC repair technician for sudden system malfunctions.
Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Are you still using incandescent light bulbs? Get them so hot and they burn your fingers. Also, about 95 percent of their energy goes to radiating heat, not light. Consider investing in energy-efficient light bulbs to save energy and money.
Skip the oven; use the grill instead. Being one of the major heat sources in your kitchen, expect your utility bill to skyrocket by consistently using the oven. Skip using this appliance to save energy (as you’ll be using the AC more) and use the grill instead. Cooking on a grill in the backyard gives you more opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
Use cotton bed sheets. Get more comfortable while sleeping by switching to cotton bed sheets. Try going with other natural fibers such as bamboo and linen to feel much cooler. Avoid polyester as it’s not effective at wicking away your sweat. Another way to feel much cooler is to mist your cotton sheets with lavender water before bedtime — you’ll stay cool for hours.
Take cool showers. Avoid taking a hot shower in the summer; take cold showers instead. A cold shower won’t only make you feel cooler but you also save the energy needed to heat your water. Because cold showers don’t produce steam, that means you also get to lower the humidity in your home.
Apply reflective film or sun control to your windows. If you don’t mind not having enough natural light in your home, consider installing reflective films. A window film is best for reflecting sunlight and for conserving energy. Your AC won’t have to work harder as a result, avoiding costly heating and AC repairs.
Install window awnings. Window awnings can keep out the sun as they provide shade and protection. It doesn’t just reduce solar heat gain but it also provides shades for your outdoor spaces. If you have south-facing windows, the window awnings reduce heat gain by up to 65 percent. Also, you won’t have to strain your AC, saving you money on costly heating and AC repairs.
Drink cold water. It’s important to stay hydrated especially when the temperature starts rising. As much as possible, drink a lot of cold water during the summer to cool down. Go with other cold beverages to help cool yourself down.
Avoid the midday sun. Make sure you dress appropriately during summer. Wear summer clothes and avoid the midday sun when you can. You’ll feel much cooler by staying indoors instead.
Which Direction Should the Ceiling Fan Go in the Summer and Winter?
When the temperature starts rising, expect to also increase your air conditioning usage. Thankfully, you can reduce energy consumption by installing a ceiling fan. However, it’s important to know the correct ceiling fan direction to save more energy and not strain your air conditioning system. You get to save on heating and AC repairs as a result because you can avoid unexpected breakdowns.
A ceiling fan can make your room feel cooler during summer by pushing the cold air toward your floor. Doing this creates a wind-chill effect, making you feel several degrees cooler. However, keep in mind that ceiling fans don’t cool rooms but cool the people inside the room. So when you leave the room, turn off the ceiling fan.
At higher temperatures, the ceiling fan should turn counterclockwise, to ensure the air blows straight down. During the winter, the ceiling fan should be turning clockwise and set at a low speed to force the warm air down. You can reduce energy use and not strain the HVAC system when the warm air that collects in the ceiling is redistributed to make your room feel warmer. By changing the direction of the ceiling fan, you get to save energy and also avoid calling a heating and AC repair technician.
How to Lower Humidity in Your Home
Ideally, your home should have no less than 30 percent and no higher than 50 percent humidity level. High humidity can cause you to feel hotter and it’s also an ideal environment for mold and mildew. Air conditioners work harder when humidity is too high and this can lead to unexpected system malfunctions. You can avoid costly heating and AC repairs by regulating the humidity in your home.
How to reduce moisture:
Get a humidifier. This device is designed to pull water out of the air, helping you maintain your home’s humidity levels. Get an ENERGY STAR humidifier to save energy when running the device.
Run exhaust fans – When cooking or showering, make sure to run exhaust fans to remove the moisture. Call professionals if you need help with installation.
Improve air circulation – One of the most effective ways to remove humid and stale air in your home is by increasing air circulation. Using vents and fans can significantly help too.
Heating Your Home Efficiently
All homeowners want to stay warm and comfortable in the winter while saving money at the same time. As much as possible, they want to avoid straining their heating system as this would eventually lead to costly heating and AC repair service in Dallas, TX. Below are our helpful tips to help efficiently heat your home in the winter.
Install smart thermostats. Invest in a smart device that has the ability to learn your habits, temperature preferences, and patterns for warming your home. This is exactly what a smart thermostat does. It can automatically adjust your temperature and monitor it 24/7 to maximize your energy usage. If you’re thinking of getting one, make sure to only hire licensed heating and AC repair service technicians for installation.
Get an HVAC tune-up before winter. A malfunctioning system can leave your home colder in the winter — it may also be harmful, depending on the type of heating system you’re using. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous and a dirty furnace can leave your home with allergens that pose health risks.
Call a heating and AC repair service technician for a tune-up, to thoroughly inspect your entire system and address issues that come up. For example, worn-out parts must be replaced so that your entire system won’t have to work harder. While there is an added cost in getting an HVAC tune-up, you get to save more money in the long run. You also lower monthly utility costs with regular HVAC maintenance. Most importantly, you will have a cleaner home.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas if you need furnace maintenance. Our team can service all makes and models. We’re also fully equipped so there is no need to schedule another appointment if an issue comes up during the inspection.
Clean and change the filters. When it comes to furnace maintenance, always start with replacing your filters. Dirty filters can block off airflow, making your heating system work harder. You can avoid costly heating and AC repair in Dallas, TX, by changing your filters every month or two months. Check them every month and change them when they’re dirty. Otherwise, change the filters in the second month. Please make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly replace your filters.
Several types of filters are available in the market. Consider getting HEPA filters and UV filters if you have family members suffering from allergies and other respiratory problems. If you want a more environmentally-friendly option, consider getting washable filters. For installation, always work with a licensed heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX, to ensure the correct installation of your filters.
Get a new system. How long have you been using your furnace? They can last up to 15 years but tend to lose their efficiency over time, especially when not well maintained. If your heating system is more than 15 years old, and you keep calling a heating and AC repair service technician in Dallas, TX, for repairs, we suggest you consider getting a new unit instead. It will be more cost-effective to get a new energy-efficient unit than keep paying for heating and costly repairs.
It’s always better to be prepared than experience an unexpected breakdown. If you need help deciding what type of unit to invest in, we suggest calling our heating and AC repair service specialists to help you make an informed decision.
Tips for keeping warm during winter:
Want to stay toasty and warm in the winter while saving money at the same time? Below are some helpful tips:
Drink warm beverages and food. Consider having soups with meat or beans as they are high in fat and protein, and are metabolized slowly by your body. This means they can help you feel warmer. Also, having a hot cup of tea and coffee can certainly help keep the chill off.
Dress for the cold. Layering is critical during winter. It’s best to wear thin layers of clothing than put on a large thick sweater in the winter. Why? You can retain more heat by wearing thin layers of clothing. Wear a pair of tights underneath your clothes to stay warm; you might want to also wear a hat as that can also help keep the heat in.
Use more blankets and wear thick socks. Add extra comfort by wearing thick socks and thick slippers. Have more layers of blanket to trap the air between you.
Open the blinds and curtains. During the day, let the fresh and warm air inside your home.
Move an appliance or decor blocking the heat vents. Warm air can circulate better when nothing is obstructing the vents. Also, because heat rises, consider moving or sleeping on the second floor of your room.
Insulate the attic. It would be better to add extra insulation to your attic to retain some of the heat. Contact professionals in Dallas, TX, if you need assistance. With the insulation, your furnace won’t have to work harder. You can avoid costly heating and AC repairs.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas
Do you need a heating and AC repair service specialist in Dallas, TX? Our team can help! We offer various HVAC services to all customers including HVAC repairs, installations and maintenance. Our licensed and highly experienced technicians can also help with your ductwork, indoor air quality, and thermostats. At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, we aim to consistently deliver what was promised to keep our customers happy after every appointment. We are also available 24/7 to cater to those needing emergency services! Call us today for an appointment!