Keeping Your Home Cooler without Adjusting Your AC's Thermostat Monday, July 26, 2021

Summer in Plant City and surrounding Florida areas is a great time to enjoy a beach trip or two, but it can also be very uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity. Sometimes, it seems like there is no other choice but to adjust the air conditioner to get some respite from the heat. But that would also cause your electric bill to skyrocket.

The good news is that there are many things that you can do to keep your home cooler without having to turn your AC's thermostat lower. Many of these tips are practical, like using window coverings to block the sun or limiting the use of your oven. Keep reading for further explanation and more tips you can follow.

Use your ceiling fans to create a more comfortable atmosphere.

When hot temperatures becomes uncomfortable, you don't have to adjust your AC's thermostat right away. Make use of ceiling fans first. They will help keep the air moving, creating a breeze that will give you a feeling of comfort. To make sure that fans are efficiently cooling a room, it's important to choose the right size. For small rooms up to 75 square feet, a fan that has a diameter of 29-36" is enough. But for larger rooms that total up to 225 square feet, you'll need a fan that is around 54" in diameter.

Block the sun through the use of window coverings.

Glass windows look aesthetically pleasing, plus they offer a great view of the outside world. But they can also trap the heat of the sun and can heat a room in no time. Anyone who has stayed inside a hot car under direct sunlight can attest to this.

The key is to use window coverings to block the sun. Use window coverings and keep them closed, especially during the hottest part of the day. You can also have your windows tinted with heat-reducing films.

Use no-heat light bulbs like CFLs.

You may want to take a look at the lights you use in your home. While incandescent light bulbs are very effective in lighting a room, they also generate a lot of heat. In fact, in traditional light bulbs, 90% of the energy they produce are actually just heat and not light, which is just a waste of energy, not to mention money.

It's time to switch to no-heat light bulbs like compact fluorescent lightbulbs. They are energy-saving but can still light a room effectively.

Limit the use of your oven.

Learn to cook wisely by not using your oven too much. The oven will only add to the temperature in the room. Instead, why not cook outside using the grill? The summer season is the perfect time for grillig and barbecues! You can also choose to prepare cold meals like cold salads and sandwiches.

If you will use the oven, here are some things you can do to minimize heat:

• Minimize opening the oven door to check the status of the meal. This will only let out the hot air into the kitchen.
• Make sure to cover the pan or pot if you are using the stovetop for cooking.
• Turn on the range hood so that the hot air will be directed outside instead of circulating the room.

Invest in a dehumidifier.

The amount of water vapor in the air is what we call humidity. Because of humidity, it can feel hotter than it actually is. That's because when humidity is high, the sweat that our bodies bring out does not evaporate as quickly compared to when the air is dry. Evaporation is a process that cools our bodies, so when it does not happen as quickly, it feels hotter.

To counteract the humidity, you can invest in a dehumidifier that removes the moisture from the air.

Maintaining your A/C unit is also important to keep cool during the summer. Call (863) 667-6364 if you need installation or maintenance services for your air conditioning unit,

Although these tactics will help keep your home cooler, an AC unit is still necessary for summers in Florida. If your A/C unit is not working at full capacity, it's going to be an uncomfortable summer. True Plumbers & AC offers repair and maintenance for residential and commercial properties in Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven and surrounding areas in Florida.

If you've noticed your A/C unit smelling or making strange noises, or it's not just performing as well, call us at (863) 667-6364 so we can schedule a repair or maintenance. We also offer A/C installation and can even give you advice on what could best serve your property.