Every summer, homeowners are on the lookout for ways to cool the home naturally without cranking down the thermostat in the warmest part of the day. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to cool your home without lowering the temperature set point to 68 degrees and forcing the air conditioner to run continuously. Read on for some tips on natural cooling.
Use fans strategically. Yes, fans (including ceiling fans) use a bit of electricity, but they can help you feel cooler by circulating a cooling breeze. With fans on, you won't feel the need to turn down the thermostat. Be sure the blades on ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise; this will help lift warm air to the ceiling and push cool air down to occupant level.
Close blinds, drapes, and shades to block sun. Keeping solar radiation out of your home will help reduce the cooling load for your AC. Whenever the sun starts slanting inside the home, pull the window coverings down.
Open windows whenever theres a breeze. It's not always possible to catch a nice breeze, but sometimes, if you're vigilant, you'll succeed. Usually morning hours, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and in the evening after the sun goes down, you may open the windows and find a breeze is blowing. Make use of cross-ventilation — that is, opening windows on opposite sides of the house so that the breeze is drawn through.
Install thick insulation in the ceiling floor. Several inches of insulation in the floor of the attic will keep the heat from the roof from penetrating your home.
Keep cooking at a minimum. Whenever possible, cook outdoors on the grill or heat up simple meals in the microwave. Avoid using the oven, especially during the heat of the day.
Run appliances late at night. Not only will you keep your home cooler, but you can also take advantage of nonpeak-hour rates if you run appliances later in the day.
When you have a forced-air system, heated air is created at the furnace and blown through a system of ducts, which carry the heated air to vents in each room of your home. The mechanism that actually moves this heated air through your ductwork is called a "blower." Without the blower, your heated air would not reach its intended destination. If your blower is malfunctioning, getting furnace repair is a top priority. Understanding your furnace blowerThe blower motor is usually the part of your furnace that has to work the hardest, since it is responsible for circulating your heated air. Blowers come in several different forms, depending on your furnace technology:
When you have a single speed blower, your blower is either on or off. When the temperature drops your thermostat setting, the blower kicks on at full capacity, with no option for adjustment.
With a variable-speed blower motor, you get the added benefit of a "soft start," which means the blower comes on at less than full throttle. After a few minutes of operation, the blower can increase capacity as needed to sufficiently warm your home. That way, the blower motor only runs at full charge when it needs to, instead of running at full capacity all the time.
No matter what type of blower you have, proper maintenance is essential to proper furnace function. Check your system regularly dirt or dust buildup, consult a professional if your blower needs repair, and don't forget to schedule annual maintenance.To learn more about furnace blowers, or if you need assistance with furnace repair, contact Air Assurancetoday.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today! Fan symbol image via Shutterstock
An annual service check is near the top of the U.S. Department of Energy's HVAC to-do list for homeowners. It's #2, right after monthly filter changes. And it's money well spent: You're protecting major investments, namely your heating and air conditioning system, and you're ensuring the comfort and safety of your family.Annual service checks catch problems before they happen and keep your system running efficiently year-round. A professional service technician will perform the following services to your oil, gas or electric HVAC system:
Inspect and clean burners and heat exchangers
Check vent flow and clean obstructions from the venting
Test the thermostat and electrical connections to be sure they're working properly and at correct voltage, so the system starts and stops as it should
Inspect oil fans and and other moving parts
Clean A/C condenser coils
Check/adjust the refrigerant level as needed
Make sure the drain is clear for A/C and dehumidifier (if applicable)
These are just a few of the major things a check/tune-up will provide. Air Assurance provides over 30+ checks while doing their maintenance.Everything runs smoother and more efficiently when cleaned and lubricated. Your HVAC system is no exception. Burners and coils are the heart of your system. Furnace burners, like those on a stove, need cleaning to prevent the dirt and dust accumulation that leads to corrosion, rust and breakdowns. Without regular cleaning, burners become clogged, burn inefficiently and can cause damage to the heat exchanger. Cracks in the heat exchanger can allow combustion gases (like carbon monoxide) to escape into the air in your home.Coils need regular cleaning to remove the cottonwood, dust, grass clippings, etc away from the unit so that it can breathe, otherwise, putting too much strain on the compressor causes it to prematurely give out.Don't let this happen to you. Call us today for more information. Ask about our preventive maintenance plan that keeps your system clean with annual service checks. It also offers priority service; no extra charges for emergency service; a 15 percent savings on any repairs (service and labor) and more. It also is a big part in the exclusive Limited Lifetime Repair Warranty only offered by Air Assurance! Visit us at the Air Assurance website, and don't hesitate to contact us for more information. We're always happy to help.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
