Heat Pump Maintenance: Tips for Keeping Your System Running Smoothly

As the temperatures drop, you’re probably thinking about how to keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient. A properly functioning heat pump is crucial to your home’s comfort. If you’re not maintaining your heat pump properly, you could be in for some serious problems.

To help you out, here are tips given by heating repair services DC that will help you keep your heat pump running smoothly.

Schedule regular inspections with a professional HVAC technician

Heat pumps are more complicated than other furnaces and air conditioners and require regular maintenance checks by trained technicians.

You, therefore, want to schedule inspections every few months or at least twice per year, depending on your needs, and make sure that your technician performs routine maintenance, such as cleaning the condenser coil and checking for any signs of wear or damage.

Keep the unit covered when not in use.

Heat pumps are designed to be left running during the winter months, but you must cover them when you’re not using them, so they don’t get damaged by weather or animals. Also, be sure that any vents or openings on the unit are covered.

If you’re storing your heat pump outside for an extended period of time, consider disconnecting it from its power source to avoid damage from any potential moisture build-up inside the unit itself.

Clean and maintain the outdoor unit regularly.

The outdoor unit collects dust and dirt over time, which can reduce its efficiency and shorten its lifespan. Cleaning it regularly will help it run more efficiently and last longer.

Use a soft brush or vacuum attachment to remove dust from the fan blades and coils on the outside of the unit and from inside panels if there is any. You should also clean any filters on an annual basis.

Change the air filter monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer

An air filter captures dust, pollen, and other particles from entering your unit. Over time, this can clog up the internal parts and cause it to work harder to cool down your home, which increases energy costs.

As such, you want to change it monthly or as the manufacturer recommends. Most air filters should be changed every three months, but some may need to be changed more often. Check with your owner’s manual or contact your HVAC contractor for more information.

Check for leaks and repair them immediately.

Leaks can cause problems with your heat pump’s efficiency and cost you more money in the long run. Check all hoses and pipes and ensure they don’t have leaks or cracks. If you find any leaks, fix them as soon as possible.

This will save you expensive repairs or replacements in the long run.

Clean out the drain pan regularly

A dirty drain pan can cause serious damage to your heat pump, so it’s important to keep it clean at all times. Make sure you clean out the drain pan regularly and perform routine inspections for signs of damage or wear and tear on the components inside the unit.

Check for cracks or other signs of damage on coils and fins and dirt build-up around fan blades and motors.

Do not attempt to repair any part of your heat pump yourself

Heat pumps are complex systems that require specialized knowledge to work on them safely. Therefore, you should not attempt to repair any part of your heat pump. This is because heating and cooling systems are complex machinery, and if you try to fix them yourself, you could end up doing more harm than good.

Bottom Line

If you’ve ever had an air conditioner break down during the summer months, then you know how important it is to maintain these systems. The same holds for heat pumps. If you want yours to last for years, then these simple maintenance tips from HVAC repair services will help you get the most out of yours.

What Questions Should You Ask A Pool Contractor?

When it comes to swimming pools, you’ve got plenty of options. You could buy a kit, build it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. But how do you know if you’re getting the best value if you hire a pool contractor?

When you’re ready to remodel your pool, there are a few questions you’ll want to ask potential pool contractors. These questions will help you get a sense of their experience and expertise, as well as whether they’ll be able to deliver on their promises. Here are some of them.

What type of warranty do you offer?

A good pool contractor will offer a warranty on their work. The warranty length will vary from contractor to contractor, but it should be at least three years.

A more extended warranty is better, but if you’re comparing contractors, you should ensure they all offer at least some kind of warranty for their work.

What type of materials do you use in your pool construction?

You want to ensure that your contractor uses quality materials that won’t wear out too quickly. Ask them what kind of tile and coping they’re using, how thick their vinyl liner is, and how long they expect it to last before needing replacement.

This will help ensure that your pool lasts as long as possible without getting damaged or showing signs of wear early on.

How long have you been in business?

This is one of the most critical questions for a prospective pool contractor. You want to find out how long they have been working with pools and how many they have built in the past.

If they have been working for less than five years, then they will likely not have enough experience to handle your project properly. If they have been building pools for more than twenty years, they might be expensive, but chances are high that they will get the job done accordingly.

Are you licensed and insured?

If a contractor doesn’t have their license number readily available on their website or business card, they may hide something like past complaints or unpaid debts.

Asking for this information right away will help weed out anyone trying to skirt regulations or avoid legal action from unsatisfied customers.

Do you have references I can call?

Ask for at least three references from recent customers and call them to ask about their experience with the contractor. Ask about the quality of work performed and whether there were any communication or scheduling issues during the project.

You also want to check whether the contractor charged for additional services not included in your contract, such as replacing parts or damaged materials during construction.

Do you have a portfolio of previous work?

This will give you an overview of their work and an idea of their capabilities. It’s also helpful because it gives you examples of what they’ve done before so that when they show up at your house with their ideas, you can compare them to what others have done and make sure they match up.

What is your payment policy?

A good pool contractor should be able to provide you with a detailed estimate of how much the project will cost. This information should include the cost of materials, labor, permits, and other fees associated with completing the job.

Some contractors may offer financing options or other payment plans, so ask about this before agreeing.

Bottom Line

When you’re ready to start building your new pool, there are a few questions you should ask the pool builders Long Island. These questions will help you better understand the process and ensure you get everything you want in your new pool.

How Can You Treat Hard Water to Soften It?

granite countertops

If you have hard water, you may find that it leaves a white residue on your laundry, dishes, and even your skin. Hard water can also contribute to mineral buildup in your pipes and appliances, which can be expensive and time-consuming to fix.

While you can’t do much about the hardness of your water supply, there are several ways to soften it at home.

Use a water softener.

A water softener is an appliance that removes calcium and magnesium ions from your drinking water, making it softer so it will feel better on your skin. A water softener system typically uses ion-exchange resin technology to exchange calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions in the resin beads.

Water that passes through the softener is softened but then passes through a heating element before being sent back into your home’s pipes.

Distillation

Distillation is an alternative method of softening water that doesn’t require any special equipment or chemicals. It just takes time and energy to work properly.

You boil the water until it evaporates into steam, which then condenses back into liquid form once it hits something cold like an ice cube or frozen vegetables in your freezer. The process eliminates calcium and magnesium ions from the water, making it much softer.

Install an ion exchange system for your whole house

Ion exchange systems work similarly to water softeners, except they treat all the water going into your home instead of just what comes out of one faucet or showerhead at a time.

An ion exchange system requires you to install a special tank inside your home that contains resin beads that remove calcium and magnesium ions from your drinking water supply. This treated water flows through the rest of your plumbing system before reaching its final destination.

Reverse osmosis (RO)

RO is another expensive process that involves running water through a semipermeable membrane that filters out all dissolved minerals from the water supply with great efficiency.

The price of RO systems depends on their size and quality, but they produce water that’s almost impossible to cloud over time because no minerals are left in it.

Add vinegar or lemon juice.

Vinegar and lemon juice contain acetic acid, which will help soften hard water for about 24 hours after adding them to your laundry or dishwashing machine. However, if you add vinegar or lemon juice directly to running water, it won’t affect hard water.

Add lime to your water supply.

Adding lime (calcium oxide) to your water supply raises its pH level so that calcium carbonate — another common component of hard water, will dissolve into it rather than precipitate out of it as scale on your pipes or faucets or other surfaces that come into contact with your water supply like showerheads.

Calcium carbonate is highly alkaline, meaning it’s better suited to dissolve in essential solutions like lime than left behind as deposits.

Use a descaler

If your faucets have a lime buildup, it may be time for a descaler, also known as limescale remover. This product works by dissolving the calcium buildup but doesn’t soften the water.

You’ll need to use one after you install your new water softener, too — otherwise, there could still be some calcium left behind in your pipes that could clog them up again later on down the line.

Bottom Line

Hard water can cause problems in your home, including increased soap scum, spots on dishes and clothing, and decreased effectiveness of household cleaning products.

If you have hard water, there are several ways to treat it so that it doesn’t affect the quality of your home’s water supply. You can do water softener installation Erie among many other things.

What Should You Not Do In A Bathroom Reno?

bathroom reno

Bathroom renovations can be a nightmare as there’s always something that can go wrong, from the smallest of details to the biggest of surprises.

Nevertheless, there are some things you shouldn’t do in a bathroom reno that can make all the difference between a successful project and one that costs you time and money. Which are these things?

Here they are as given by bathroom remodeling contractors:

Don’t skimp on materials.

Do it right the first time by using quality materials for your project. You don’t want to redo any part of your bathroom because it wasn’t done well in the first place, so spend a little extra on higher-quality products and labor if necessary.

Don’t hire inexperienced workers.

As with any other home improvement project, you need professionals who know what they’re doing when working on your home’s plumbing system, electrical wiring, and more, especially if you’re working with older properties that may have outdated systems or parts that need replacing entirely.

Professional plumbers, electricians, and other trade workers have years of experience under their belts, and they know what they’re doing.

Don’t forget about lighting.

Lighting is an often-overlooked aspect of bathroom renovations, but it’s just as important as everything else if you want to create a comfortable space for relaxing at home or getting ready before heading out into the world.

Make sure there is enough light for tasks like shaving or putting on makeup, and also consider what sort of mood you want to achieve with your lighting scheme. It could be bright and airy or even dark and sultry.

Don’t hire a contractor who doesn’t know the code.

The building code is the bible for home renovations, but it can be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. That’s why it’s important to hire a contractor who understands what you want done and knows how to do it.

Don’t use shortcuts to save money.

Don’t try to cut corners on your bathroom renovation budget if you want it done right. A DIY may seem like an easy way to save money on your bathroom renovation, but it can have serious consequences down the line.

You might end up with an unfinished job that needs more work done later, or even worse, a house full of mold and mildew because of structural issues.

Don’t install a vanity that is too big or small for your space

The most important thing when choosing a vanity is ensuring it has enough space for everything that needs to go inside, including the sink and faucet.

If you choose one that is too small, there won’t be enough room for everything, and it could look awkward in the space, whereas if you choose one that is too big, it might overwhelm the room and make it look cluttered and messy.

Don’t forget about storage.

You need storage space in your bathroom and probably a lot of it. Make sure any new cabinets have doors on them, so they don’t take up too much space. If you have room in the floor plan, consider putting wall-mounted cabinets instead of traditional ones on the floor.

That way, they won’t take up any usable space in your room.

Bottom Line

One of the most important parts of a bathroom renovation is choosing the right design for the space.

While you may have an excellent idea of how your bathroom looks and feels, if you’re not careful, you may end up with something that looks more like a disaster area than a relaxing retreat. To have an easier time, work with experienced bathroom remodeling Bowie that will guide you through the way.

What Can I Expect From a Drain Cleaning Service?

drain contractors

Drain problems can easily bring down the whole house and force you and your family to evacuate.

Yes, you read that right. Drain clogs and wastewater backups can be merciless. If left unattended, they have the power to pose a severe hazard to your health or, at the very least, lead to property damage.

As such, you should ensure that drain cleaning for your plumbing is given top priority and is a regular part of home maintenance. Do not wait until it is too late to call a drain cleaning services provider.

Is this the first time hiring a cleaning professional and wondering what can I expect from a drain cleaning service? Let’s find out.

What Happens During Professional Drain Cleaning

Many people assume that professional drain cleaning involves pouring loads of chemicals down the drain. But this couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Although many online tutorials teach you how to clean your drain using chemicals (both store-bought and homemade), professionals are aware that using chemicals can cause severe damage to your plumbing.

The professionals aim to keep your pipes in the best condition possible. After all, what’s the point of giving the cleaning services if it leaves you with drains worse off than before?

Here is what to expect from the service:

Drain Assessment

First, the plumber will assess the condition of your pipes to know exactly what they are dealing with. This might involve a video inspection of the drain.

They use a small camera fixed on a flexible cable, then run it down the drain to identify clogs and their exact location. The camera also shows the size of the blockage and the materials that comprise it.

General minor drain clogs are formed from organic debris that goes down the drain from your home – food scraps, dead skin cells, human hair, pet hair, soap scum, etc.

These organic debris merge to cause a blockage along your pipes. The naturally-occurring minerals in the hard water used in most homes are especially a significant catalyst to drain clogs. They can make the clogs worse if no regular cleaning is done.

Drain Cleaning

Depending on the results of the inspection, the technicians will then determine the best cleaning method. If the clogs are generally small and manageable, snaking the drain or hydro jetting usually does the trick.

Snaking is usually done by running a drain snake down the drain to see any clogs along the way. A drain snake is a long, thin wire that can be either hand-cranked or motor-operated. If your drain already has minor clogs, the snake should be able to clear most of it.

If that does not work, then the technician will pair it with hydro jetting. The technician uses a special hose, runs it down the drain, and then power pumps hot water through the pipe. The temperature and the pressure of the water are strong enough to break and dissolve any stubborn debris and blockages.

If your pipes are already damaged by clogs or external invasives like tree roots, the plumber will carry out the repairs or recommend professional pipe repair to restore pipe integrity.

Conclusion

Healthy drains make a home safe, comfortable, and efficient. It is therefore vital to ensure that your drains are well maintained and in good condition always.

If you notice or suspect that your sinks or bathtub has water backing up, it is crucial to call drain contractors immediately.

Although a drain clog may seem like a minor issue, it could completely halt your home’s plumbing system. So do not wait until you are in a crisis to get the help that you need.

Can You Put Hot Things on Granite?

The kitchen is the heart center of a home. It’s no wonder the kitchen is given the most attention when building a home. Currently, granite countertops are the trend – if you do not have one, then there is a high chance that your next-door neighbor probably does.

The popularity of granite comes from its stylish and sophisticated look as well as its ease of maintenance. But you are probably wondering what granite’s heat tolerance is. Can you put hot things on granite? For example, can you get a hot plate of cake directly from the oven and place it on your granite countertop surface? Let’s find out.

Do Hot things Damage Granite Countertops?

In normal circumstances, you can not damage your granite surface by placing a hot pan on it. Granite has a rank of 6 on the Mohs scale -which means that it has a high enough heat resistance.

In fact, granite is an igneous rock formed over a million years through a process of extreme heating and cooling to form a complex and dense natural material. As such, granite can withstand temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees or more and will not melt even when a direct flame is applied.

However, it is not a good idea to continuously place hot things on your kitchen counter. Although a hot pan can not scorch the surface, it can leave scars and other types of damage on your precious counters.

Long-term exposure to heat combined with other factors causes granite to react, which can harm your granite surfaces’ clean finish. A few minutes at a time will probably not leave any visible damage, but if you continue placing hot items of the same spot, you will notice some changes after some time.

How to Protect Your Granite Countertop From Heat Damage

To ensure that your granite countertops’ beauty is timeless, you must avoid actively placing hot items on the surface. This way, your granite will last for generations while still maintaining its eye-catching beauty and splendor. Here are tips to help you along the way;

Allow pots and pans time to cool down before placing them on the counter surface.
Use heat-resistant countertop protectors (trivets, hot pads, potholders, and cutting boards) to protect your surface before placing hot things on it.
Often re-Seal your Granite Countertop. Re-sealing your countertops at least once a year helps keep numerous household hazards away.

How to Repair Heat Damaged Granite Countertops

There are a few ways you can salvage a blemish from your granite countertop.

Apply baby oil. Baby oil helps soak out the stain and leave the surface looking better than before. Apply baby oil on the part of your countertop that has damage and leave it on for 24 hours and then rinse it of using water and detergent.
Apply banking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Generously apply this paste to the damaged area, cover it neatly with a cling film and leave it on for 24-48 hours. Once dry, scrape it off using a rubber scraper and rinse off the area with water and mild detergent.
Apply peroxide poultice. Follow the same procedure as with baking soda paste. However, since peroxide is a harsh chemical, ensure that you wear the necessary protective gear while carrying out the process.

Conclusion

Although granite is tougher than natural and engineered stone countertops Potomac, it can react to heat and leave stains when heat is applied continuously. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it is better to avoid placing hot items on your granite countertops.

Guide to Identifying Types of Oriental Rugs

oriental rugs

Fine quality rugs are priceless. They are investment pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms.

However, genuine area oriental rugs are, at the moment, very rare. They are like expensive pieces of rare art that you can walk on and enjoy in your home.

As such, there are many counterfeits and imitations out there, and if you are not careful, you can easily be swindled by rogue and unscrupulous people in the market. Hence this article acts as a quick guide to identifying types of oriental rugs.

Origin

A genuine oriental rug is handmade. There is no evidence to show the exact time when oriental rugs were invented, but it is believed to have originated way back in the 5th century BCE in modern-day Siberia.

There are only a few ‘oriental countries’ in the world that produce oriental carpets. They include Iran (Persia), Turkey, Turkmenistan, India, Tibet, Morocco, etc. In these countries, the rug-making culture and people are considered valuable national treasures.

Making a single rug by hand is very intricate. It takes a lot of time to complete each of the original intricate designs, from making the vegetable dyes to dying the thread to the actual hand-knitting of each Senneh knot. This process can take even a year.

This is why, although machines can make the rugs in an easier process, they can not be called oriental rugs, and neither can they match in quality. So here is what to look for when looking to identify genuine oriental rugs.

The Color Variations

Oriental rugs are handmade and therefore are not perfect. If the color pallet and coordination are too perfect, then it is likely factory-made. The whole process is done by hand, and therefore, it is improbable that the final product will be perfect.

For example, the wool or silk might likely have been dyed in different batches, and thus, the color would be a shade or two lighter. The slight color variation or the incoordination in knotting is what make the rugs unique and valuable.

Rug Knot Count or Density

Imagine the tech intricacies that go into making a screen resolution. Now take the same concept and imagine someone trying to put a whole generation of culture into a single mat. Each knot will be well calculated and will serve a purpose.

Each knot determines the uniqueness, complexity, and uniqueness of the rug. Hence, there are no two oriental rugs that are identical. The same can not be said for the machine-made rugs where the machine is just duplicating stuff randomly.

Grid Lines and Fringe

The finish will hardly be perfect. The edge of the rug is made by warping threads together in the knotting process. The edge is basically part of the whole rug, and separating it would make the entire carpet fall apart.

This is not the case with a factory-made rug. Most times, the edge is sewn on after the carpet the rug comes out of the machine. Therefore, inspecting the fringe and grid lines is a sure way to tell if the rug is an authentic oriental rug.

Material

Oriental rugs consist of nothing synthetic. They are made from natural materials such as pure silk, camel hair, and sheep’s wool. Some carpets combine sheep’s wool on the surface and cotton on the warp (high-quality carpets are made from pure silk).

Although also made from wool, most factory-made carpets have traces of synthetic fibers – especially on the warp. The quality of the material is not as pure as authentic oriental rugs.

Conclusion

For an amateur, it is not easy to tell original antique rugs Vienna VA from machine-made imitations. A good imitation looks as good as the original. However, they are not the same. Not the quality, nor the value.

Hence, it is important to know what to look for when identifying the original from the fake. The points above – either alone or together – can give you a good idea of whether the rug is genuine or not.

What Do I Need to Know Before Removing a Tree?

tree services

Nothing beats the beauty and grandeur of beautiful greenery and lush trees. However, the beauty doesn’t come easy.

Like all things in life, to capture the beauty of the trees and shrubs, a lot of maintenance is required. As part of the maintenance process, you might need to remove one or more trees if they have a disease or pose a problem to the surrounding area.

And when it is time to remove a tree for the first time, many questions will run through your mind. What do I need to know before removing a tree?

Can I do it myself, or do I need to get tree services? What do I need to prepare? The questions are many, but today, we will answer only one – what you need to know before removing a tree.

Things to Remember Before Removing a Tree

Rules and regulations

Every local government has a Tree Protection Ordinance, which regulates the removal of trees. Although it is your private property, some trees are protected under local law, and you are not allowed to remove them.

Therefore, before removing your tree, ensure that you check what the law in your area says about removing trees on private property. In some cases, you may have to obtain a permit before you begin axing the tree.

Stump and Lumber Removal

The work does not end after the tree falls. You will also need to take care of the stump, or it will stick out like a sole thumb in front of your yard – which can easily be a safety hazard. If you used professional services to fell the tree, chances are they will also take care of the stump.

However, if you are doing it DIY, you will also need to remove the stump DIY. But do not get stumped.

There are many easy ways to do that without breaking your back. For example, see this video that gives you an easy step-by-step guide on removing tree stumps using bleach. Yes, you read that right. Try it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbipr54-MkI

Tree Removal Requires Proper Prior Planning

Do not wake up one day full of energy and grab your ax because, unlike other days, today, you feel alive and full of energy. It does not work like that. In addition to getting a local government permit, removing a tree requires careful planning and proper preparation.

One of the most important things you need to do is inform your neighbors beforehand that you will be removing the tree. You also need to prepare the right equipment and safety gear and ensure people are available to give you a hand – this is assuming that you are doing this yourself.

Safety Concerns

Trees do not have a brain of their own, and they can cause a lot of damage on their way to the ground. For example, if there are structures all around the tree, do you have the right skill and safety equipment to ensure that the surrounding structures suffer no damage?

Check electrical cables, gas lines, sewer lines, and anything that the tree could damage and ensure that the proper protective measures are put in place to ensure that they do not get damaged.

There are many safety concerns when it comes to felling a tree. Ensure that you think of all possible mishaps and prepare accordingly. If you do not feel confident enough to pull it off by yourself, consider hiring a pro, as this will save you a lot of headaches.

Conclusion

Sometimes falling a tree is necessary, especially if it poses safety threats to individuals.

However, before proceeding to ax it, it is crucial to ensure that you are well informed and know everything you need to know for the safety of everything and everyone around.

This article gives you an idea of the basics that you need to know before you get to work. However, it is always advisable to find an arborist Montgomery County in situations like these. Do not leave anything to chance.

How Much Sand Do I Need for Pavers?

patio contractors

Pavers are known to make a relatively strong and durable surface for pathways and patios. However, for them to give you a good, long-lasting service, they must be supported by a solid foundation. The top layer of the foundation is the pavers sand which typically supports the stone of concrete pavers.

One of the most popular questions asked by homeowners and patio contractors looking to lay pavers for their driveway or patios is; how much sand do I need for pavers? Let’s explore the correct answer to this question below.

How to Calculate the Amount of Sand Needed for Pavers

Many DIY gurus like to estimate various measurements. If you are one of these people, you will be tempted to use a hard estimate when determining the amount of sand needed. However, refrain from this temptation. A robust and durable foundation needs just the right amount of sand.

With the correct parameters, various online calculators will automatically calculate the perfect quantities. The first thing you need to have is the dimensions of the paving area. For example, a small garage area measures about 8.5 ft by 19 ft.

If you do not know the exact dimensions of the area, measure it out. For example, you can use a tape measure and mark with a string or paint. Repeat the whole measuring process to ensure that you get the measurements correct. Then use the measurements to calculate the area(m2) of the paving site.

Once you have the area(m2), you then need to decide the thickness of the layer of sand beneath the pavers (the recommended thickness is 1 inch (1/12 ft)). If you input these figures on the online calculator, it will automatically calculate the amount of sand you need. However, you can also calculate manually by multiplying the area by depth to find the volume.

Keep in mind that there might be a little wastage during the construction process, and you might also need to use sand to fill in the gaps between the pavers. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a small extra amount of sand to ensure that you do not run short during the process. This will save you a trip back to the supplier.

What Is the Best Type of Sand to Use

In addition to getting the amount right, the type of patio sand used also determines how well the pavers will lay and how long they are likely to be of service. Therefore, choosing suitable sand is very crucial in the paving process.

Many homeowners make the mistake of believing that any sand will get the job done. However, working with the wrong sand could make your pavers start sinking and shifting before long.

The recommended sand that is best for installing pavers is called concrete sand. It is course, sharp and granular. It is more like crushed stone, and the grains fluctuate in size with jagged edges, making it perfect for tight compaction, strength, and a flatter surface.

This type of sand interlocks smoothly, leaving no room for shifting or cracking. Mason sand is another alternative, but it is not as coarse as concrete sand.

Conclusion

Installing pavers might seem complicated if this is your first project of this kind. However, it doesn’t have to be so. The first step in completing this project successfully is to make sure that you get the dimensions of the paving area correct. This might sometimes require you to work with experienced patio builders.

Once you have the measurements, calculating the amount of materials needed for the project is as easy as inputting the numbers into the online calculators and automatically getting the numbers. lagrass

How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bill

Air conditioning is by far the biggest energy consumer in a modern home. When the weather gets hotter during the summer, you find yourself constantly adjusting your thermostat to accommodate the rising temperatures.

However, while the AC works tirelessly to keep you comfortable, the electric bills work harder to drain your pockets.

Are you tired of this and do not want to spend a fortune on your electricity bill, continue reading to find out tips given by AC repair services providers that will help you know how to save money on air conditioning.

How Do You Save Money on Air Conditioning?

Have you ever noticed that your electric bills go up a few times during summer?

For example, if your normal energy bill is $100, you can get a slap on the face with a $500 bill on a hot summer month.

According to federal energy forecasts, this is very normal. In fact, the biggest chunk of all electricity bills in the United States is from running the AC during the hot summer weather.

So how do you reduce your AC energy consumption while still staying cool and comfortable during summer? Here are some tips.

Consider Using a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat helps you efficiently regulate your cooling system even without you being physically in the house. For example, while you are at work, the thermostat will increase the temperature so that the AC doesn’t have to work so hard to keep the house cool when no one is around.

Smart thermostats are great, especially when you are forgetful – you can program them to change the temperature for you at specific times. Hence even if you forget to adjust it, the thermostat will automatically do the job for you.

Install Fans Instead

Fans are a more economical and energy-effective way to keep cool during hot weather. A fan uses only a fraction of the energy used to run a central air conditioner. Also, you can use fans to compliment the AC.

A single fan in a room is enough to increase the thermostat temperature by about 4 degrees and still achieve the same result. This will help you save about 10% of your energy costs.

Seal Any Opening on Your House

Although you love the outside air and natural lighting flowing into your house, your AC does not like it. Adding black-out curtains and blinds to your windows and doors is a great way to reduce heat from the outside that can make your AC work extra hard to keep the house cool.

Also, covering any cracks, gaps, and openings where air can come and go, will help you avoid cooling the whole neighborhood from your pocket.

It is important to do a thorough inspection of your home for any such leaks. If you are unsure where to start, you can hire a professional energy technician for an energy audit.

Do Regular System Maintenance

Your AC needs more than just installing a smart thermostat – if it is not regularly inspected and maintained, it will most likely push your energy bill to the opposite side of the intended.

For example, a dirty air filter will block the airflow and make your AC work extra hard to keep your home cool.

To maintain an energy-efficient AC, ensure that you clean the system (the condenser coils and evaporator should always be clear of dust and debris) and replace the filters regularly (Recommended frequency is once a month). This can help lower your energy consumption by at least 10% every month.

Additional Ways to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bill

Besides the tips above, here are more tips on saving money when running your AC on a hot summer.

Avoid things that would cause heat buildup during the day.
Ensure that there is no furniture blocking the Air conditioner.
Plant trees around the house to provide extra shade from the scorching sun.
Consult your electrical company or HVAC repair services Smithtown