Summer is here, along with lots of hot weather. Fortunately, you can keep your home comfortable without cranking up your air conditioner and having to worry about high utility bills. Putting less stress on your HVAC system also extends its life. By using ceiling fans, adding a dehumidifier, and reducing heat from appliances, you can easily enhance indoor comfort in your Arlington, Virginia, home this summer.
Using Fans
A portable room fan or ceiling fan uses less energy than an air conditioner. They circulate the cool air, so you feel comfortable without having to lower the temperature of your home. You will still need your air conditioner, but you won’t have to rely on it as much. To save even more energy when you use fans to cool only occupied rooms.
Before you start using your ceiling fans in summer, make sure they are set to turn in the right direction. Ceiling fans should be set to spin in a counterclockwise direction for cooling. If you don’t feel a breeze when your fan is on, you need to check the direction in which the blades are spinning and adjust if necessary.
Adding a Dehumidifier
High humidity makes you feel hot and sweaty. A dehumidifier can keep you more comfortable and also help you to use your air conditioner less. Portable models are less expensive, and they work well for smaller areas like bathrooms or basements. A whole-home dehumidifier can remove moisture from your entire house, and it attaches directly to your ductwork.
Reducing Heat from Appliances
Household appliances generate a lot of heat, so you should use them as little as possible. Even televisions and stereos generate heat. Grill outside, or use the microwave instead of using the oven or the stove, and use energy-saving settings for your dishwasher and clothes dryer. Drying your clothes outside on a clothesline is even better.
Brennan’s Heating and Air Conditioning is a family-owned company with more than 35 years of HVAC experience. We offer a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee on repairs, maintenance, and installation. For more information, or to schedule an appointment call us today at 703-491-2771 .
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