Summer is all fun and games until the temperature rises to extreme conditions. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, June 2023 was the hottest month in world history. With temperatures reaching close to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, many people are in the midst of a major public health concern. As millions of people around the globe continue to battle against the rising temperatures, it’s crucial for homeowners to have solutions in place to keep them safe and cool.
In order to understand how to successfully stay cool, it’s important to remember air conditioners aren’t designed for the extreme levels of summer temperatures but there are ways you can stay cool while keeping your air conditioner in good health. Here are three tips on how to prepare and navigate through the heat:
- THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
- Programming your home’s temperature as low as it can go will not make your home cooler, or faster. This is a common misconception and will make your air conditioning unit consume more energy and raise costs. Consider resetting your home’s temperature to ensure the air conditioning and fan are working properly. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends resetting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day either while you are asleep or away from home.
- DIRTY AIR FILTER
- It’s important to check your system’s air filters if cool air flow becomes an issue. Homeowners should be changing their filter every two to three months to maintain healthy and consistent airflow throughout the home.
- REFRIGERANT LEAK
- If you are seeing a spike in your energy bill and your home can’t seem to stay cool, this might be because you have a refrigerant leak in your system. An easy way to determine if this is true is to check and see if there is any ice buildup on your outdoor unit or feel warm air coming from your ventilation.
When temperatures climb, air conditioning units have to work harder to keep the indoors cool. Following these tips will make that hard work pay off a little more to help win the heat wave battle.