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| Things a Homeowner Can Do During Extreme Hot Weather |
Keep grass clippings and leaves away from your outdoor unit. This keeps dirt and debris from getting into your system. It also keeps the airflow path clear;
Keep furniture and carpeting away from grills and ductwork. If you block your air conditioning system's ability to deliver air, you rob yourself of the cooling necessary to keep your home comfortable;
Change or clean your filter once per month. Dirty filters cause your system to work harder, which means more energy use and higher utility bills;
Keep your west-facing drapes, shade or blinds drawn in the afternoon. Keeping the sun out will keep your home cooler.
Run your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening hours;
Don't use your oven;
Keep your fan running. It helps to keep the air moving;
Don't let your system go into setback. During high temperatures, the recovery time from a setback function does not help with your comfort;
Don't run an exhaust fan. It pulls the air conditioning out of the house;
Zone your heating and cooling system. If you spend most of your time in one part of the home or if different people in your home want the temperature at different settings, then zoning can help you be more comfortable and save money on your utility bills;
Use an attic ventilator. By pulling hot air out of your attic, you can keep your home cooler in the summer;
Have your cooling system checked every spring before summer hits. Your equipment works more efficiently when it is clean and running properly;
Before you call for service: Check the batteries in your programmable thermostat (if it has batteries), check that your breakers are on, and check that your thermostat is set to "cool." If your system seems to be running all the time, check to see if the thermostat's fan position is set in the "on" position;
Be patient. Remember that contractors are working as fast as they can;
Be kind to the service person when they arrive at your house. Remember they are on your side. They didn't break your system but they're glad to try to repair it for you. |
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