The summer season can put a great deal of strain on your air conditioner, and keeping your family cool and comfortable during summer break can put added strain on you. Try these tips to keep your home properly chilled this season with minimal stress on your Easton, MD AC system. You’ll enjoy a happier family and a more welcoming home.
Extra People in the House
During the summer months, your home may have more all-day inhabitants than it does during the rest of the year. When children are at school and the home is empty, you can set your thermostat back to use minimal heating or cooling. Not so when everyone is home for the summer. In addition to your own family members, you may also find yourself entertaining neighbors, family, and friends.
Keep everyone comfortable by making sure your air conditioner is up for the extra work this season. Schedule your maintenance visit in spring so everything is primed and ready. Adjust your thermostat settings so you’re maintaining more comfortable temperatures during the day. Instruct children not to adjust the thermostat on a whim, as frequent adjustments are disastrous for your energy efficiency.
Frequent Traffic In and Out
Summertime brings plenty of alluring outdoor activities, from sunbathing to water gun battles. As inhabitants cycle in and out of the house, you may have a lot of warm air entering through the open door. Minimize air loss by sealing your home as securely as possible. Install weather stripping around the bottom of the door, caulk any gaps around the windows, and check the insulation in your attic for good measure. These steps can help offset some of the air lost through daily traffic.
Higher Humidity Levels
Humidity rises in summer because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. The hot, humid weather can leave your home feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Your air conditioner is your home’s first line of defense against humidity. This system naturally removes moisture from the air as it cools your home. This moisture collects on the coils and drips off into the condensate pan.
Running your AC system at a low level for longer periods of time will provide the best dehumidification. A variable speed system will do this job the best, though a two-speed air conditioner offers a low setting that’s better than the one option available with a single-speed air conditioner. If you’re in the market for a new installation, make sure you look for the variable speed feature.
Seasonal Heat
The hot weather makes any additional heat in the home a bigger stressor for your air conditioner. Activities, like cooking or running the clothes dryer, will generate extra heat in the home, making your AC system work harder. Combat this by sticking to simple daytime meals that don’t require cooking. When you want a hot dinner, consider grilling instead of cooking in the house. Run appliances like your washer and dryer in the evening when it’s cooler out.
Dust, Dander, and Pollen
Summer months are prime time for irritants in the air. If you have asthma or allergy sufferers in the home, this is one of the most difficult seasons for maintaining comfort. If you’re struggling with poor indoor air quality, there are several things that you can do to minimize the problem. These include:
- Changing your HVAC filter at least once a month.
- Cleaning the fan blades to remove dust from household fans.
- Installing a mechanical ventilator to push stale air out of the home and pull fresh air in.
- Installing a whole-home filtration system to remove smaller particles from the air.
Taking a more mindful approach to cleaning your air will help you battle some of the challenges of the summer season, making it easier to breathe even when allergens threaten.
If your air conditioner is struggling to keep up with the challenges of summer weather, it may be time for a routine repair. Contact Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391 to find out what’s holding your home back. We’ll help you achieve ideal comfort levels throughout the warm weather months.
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