My Real Estate Blog

1) An annual maintenance check by a professional HVAC technician for your central air conditioning will ensure it's functioning at its best. Replace the air filters every two months to keep dust out of the ducts. If you’ve had renovations done in your home, chances are the ducts are full of drywall dust and should be cleaned out.

2) Keep floor vents clear of carpets, drapery and furniture, and close the vents in rooms that you don’t use very much.

3) Clean the outside compressor with a hose.  Cleaning the grilles and fan blades and cleaning and lubricating the fan motor and coil fins can really make a difference.

4) If you are thinking of buying an air conditioning unit, check the seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER number), which is its energy efficiency rating. A 13 SEER rating can deliver as much as 29% more efficiency than an older 10 SEER air conditioner. The higher the SEER number, the better. 

5) A programmable thermostat allows you to turn the temperature up during the day if nobody is home. Turning the thermostat up by 2 degrees can lower your electricity bill by up to 5% – or raise it by 5 degrees at night and save up to 10% on your bill.  During the day, keeping the windows closed and the curtains drawn will keep solar energy from overheating the house.

6) Room fans use a lot less energy than central air and can do a good job of cooling a house, as do ceiling fans.

7) A tree or shrub that shades your air conditioner can improve its energy efficiency by up to 10%, but keep plants a minimum of two feet away from the unit. Keep the top clear of obstructions. Planting a deciduous tree on the south side of your lawn will block the sun during the summer and let in solar energy in winter when it has no leaves.

8) Topping up the insulation in the attic helps in both summer and winter, as does sealing air leaks around windows and doors.

Have a cool Summer!