Roberts Mechanical

You need heating and cooling tips now that we’ve reached the peak of summer, and you need them fast. Your HVAC system is just one of many tools you can utilize for safety and comfort. However, even a brand new, energy-efficient system can benefit from using best practices to help you keep your cool during a sizzling Utah summer. If you haven’t already scheduled a complete ventilation and air conditioning inspection, do so immediately — and get the furnace or boiler checked too, to get ahead of the game for autumn.

As a family, decide on a summer temperature setting that keeps you reasonably comfortable, but not reaching for a blanket. Just a couple of degrees can make a big impact on your utility bill and energy consumption. Changing filters on a regular basis, sometimes even a couple of times per month during heavy usage, can ensure your HVAC system is working at full capacity. Filter swaps are one of the few maintenance tasks you can do yourself, and your HVAC technician can show you how during an inspection.

Cooling Off

If you don’t have smart-home technology that allows you to control temperature settings from a mobile device, now is the time to look into it. You can keep your house at a higher temperature when it’s vacant (assuming no pets will be affected, of course), then schedule your desired temperature to be ready upon your arrival. Options like Nest are in high demand, and green technology might qualify you for a tax credit or write-off, so check with your CPA before making a purchase.

But managing and maintaining your HVAC system is just step one. Also make sure to:

1. Avoid using the oven: This doesn’t mean you have an excuse to order takeout every night. However, preparing cool dishes or barbequing outside (where the heat won’t linger in the home) is a fantastic challenge for the summer. Lean toward seasonal, local veggies and fruits that can be chilled, and decrease temperatures from the inside (of yourself!) out.

2. Up your insulation: The major areas of your home that leak heat are doors, windows and attic spaces. Adding extra insulation is a great way to conserve energy, lower your bills and score a tax credit or two. However, swapping windows and doors for energy-efficient new ones can be expensive, if done all at once. Slowly trade them out, and for the others, add an insulation film which can be picked up at hardware stores for a few dollars.

3. Only cool rooms you use: Why are you paying to cool the guest room that’s never used? Close off unused rooms, perhaps adding a towel at the foot of the door if there’s a gap.

You can also take advantage of early morning and evening cross breezes by opening windows, and keep drapes drawn during the day to block intense sunlight. For more tips on heating and cooling, contact Roberts Mechanical, your local cooling professionals.