Air Conditioning is an absolute must-have for most Colorado residents to get through the sunny summer months. However, keeping that cold air inside the house is almost as important as running the AC in the first place. When the heat attacks your home, you need to do everything you can to keep the heat out and the cool inside to maintain a comfortable life for your family. These 5 simple steps will make sure that you do the best job you can:
1. Seal Your Walls
The most important factor that determines how well the walls keep your home cool is insulation. Check your insulation to see if it fully covers your wall space and that it is made from up-to-date materials. Once you have proper insulation, look for holes or cracks in the walls themselves. For instance, small spaces left by old or poorly installed electrical outlets can give cold air generated by your AC an outlet of its own. Take a quick look at all of your electrical outlets and make sure the panels are flush with the walls and seal them if needed.
2. Insulate Your Attic
Speaking of insulation, did you know that attics and lofts in most homes are not sufficiently insulated? Depending on your location, your attic should have 10-14 inches of insulation to prevent it from affecting the temperature of your home. Be thorough—check every corner, nook, and cranny. Remember, cool air from your air conditioner naturally seeks to escape into the warmer outdoors. Every small gap matters in the fight to keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient!
3. Assess Your Windows
Windows often account for most of the escaping cold air from your home. Because windows don’t have the insulation that your walls do, they can be a weak spot for your AC to escape from. If you’ve left the blinds open, windows that face the sun will bring in more heat, counteracting the work of your AC. Replacing your windows with double-paned glass can add an insulating pocket to shield your home. If you prefer not to use curtains, you can also tint your windows to block a great deal of heat.
4. Block Your Doors
If your doors are not properly sealed, the cold air will escape even when they are properly closed. If the temperature of your home is noticeably different near your door, it could be a sign you need to update the weatherstrip seal. Weatherstrip seals can be found in most hardware stores and are available in a variety of styles to match your door and home aesthetic.
5. Get an A/C Tune Up
Air conditioning units, like any other machine, require regular maintenance. Some basic upkeep can make a huge difference in the way your AC runs, making your home more efficient and saving money on those expensive summertime electric bills. More importantly, a faulty AC could cause a dangerous electrical problem, putting your home and family at risk. Experts and manufacturers recommend getting a tune-up once a year, preferably in spring, to make sure your unit is running effectively and any issues can be caught early.
[company_name]’s skilled HVAC technicians are available 7 days a week to perform tune-ups on your home air conditioning units. Prevent a potentially harmful electrical problem or find a small issue before it becomes a big one by having your AC examined by an [company_name] expert today. Contact us today to schedule your tune-up!