Cooling
- Keep your thermostat at 78°F or higher if you're still comfortable. The higher you set the thermostat, the less your cooling system will operate unnecessarily.
- Keep air conditioner filters clean. They should be cleaned or replaced once a month during the season. If you can do so safely, clean the exposed grill and spines of the outside unit.
- Don't block window air conditioners. Make sure no objects are leaning on the unit or directly in the path of the air flowing in or out.
- Use a programmable thermostat. You only need your air conditioner or furnace to run when you're home. Set timers so it comes on no more than 30 minutes before you're scheduled to arrive home.
- If you are home during the day, try to reduce the use of heat-producing appliances such as the oven, range, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
- Don't place lamps or televisions near your air conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, and this may cause it to run longer than necessary.
- Make sure your home has the appropriate amount of insulation in walls, attics and crawl spaces. Insulation is just as important in the summer as it is during the winter since it helps keep warm air outside.
- Seal and insulate air-conditioning ducts that run through unconditioned spaces.
- Plant deciduous trees to shade your home's walls, windows and roof in the summer.
- Install a ceiling fan to circulate air above the area where you spend most of your time. You'll feel just as cool under a ceiling fan when it's 82°F.
- Run exhaust fans when you shower or cook to vent warm, moist air.
- Have the system professionally inspected and tuned-up. Professional inspections and tune-ups of heating and central air conditioning systems can help save on operating costs and extend the equipment's life. A check-up is recommended every year for heat pumps and every five years for other systems.
