Optimize Your AC This Summer With These Tips

After a long day of working outdoors and catching the sun rays during the midst of the hot Texas summer, there’s nothing better than a blast of cool air on your face when you walk indoors. You want to be comfortable with the temperature in your own home, but if your air conditioner isn’t working efficiently, it’s much more difficult to get that sweet relief. Instead, you could end up paying more on your bills for insufficient cooling, and it may be hard to find just the right temperature in your home.

To prevent high costs and ineffective cooling, it’s important to take a few proactive measures—and now is the perfect time to do so. At Weston Dean Custom Homes, we’re here to help you optimize your AC this summer, so follow these simple tips to help keep your house cool, comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the warmer months in the Texas Hill Country region.

Close windows and doors

Although our carefully-crafted homes at Weston Dean are built with air-tight insulation and energy-efficient windows—it’s important to keep all of your doors and windows closed in the extreme heat to regulate the temperature inside your home. Having your doors and windows open for too long will make your AC unit work harder, and can end up costing you more money in the long run.

Incorporate new window coverings or shades

If you’ve been in the Texas summer heat, you know that the sun coming in through your windows can significantly heat up the room. As such, blocking out the light is a great way to reduce your cooling bill and take the stress off your AC unit. Blackout curtains, shades, and blinds are very effective and can look extremely elegant in your home interior—and they’re great for when you leave for work, or while you’re on vacation. This will keep your home’s indoor temperature more manageable throughout the day without relying too much on your AC unit.

Find the right temperature

A great rule of thumb to follow to optimize your AC is to set your ideal temperature on your thermostat and let it be. If possible, it’s best to not change it back and forth just because you’re feeling a little too hot or too cold, as this can cause your AC to overwork itself by constantly turning on and off to keep up with the changing temperatures. Whether you prefer 68ºF or 75ºF—it’s a good idea to maintain the same temperature throughout the summer to help maximize your AC. 

Turn on your additional fans

While you’re home, it can be a great idea to add extra movement in the air. Whether you use a floor fan or ceiling fan, they will help circulate the cold air, and the breeze will help cool you down. Moreover, fans use less energy than making your AC run longer. Having a fan on will help the air feel cooler on your skin so you won’t have to turn down the AC any more than necessary—especially when you’re cooking in the kitchen or doing chores around the house.

Perform general maintenance 

Changing the filters and clearing the area around the unit are general steps that you can take to ensure that your AC is working at its fullest potential. A clogged or dirty filter can impede airflow within the unit, and therefore take more energy to cool your home. Clearing the area around your unit is also vital, as dirt and debris can collect on the coils, preventing them from absorbing heat. Regularly check that your coils are clean, and clear foliage and other obstructions at least 2 feet away from the unit. 

Choose Weston Dean

Running your air conditioner in the summer uses a lot of energy and can contribute to a major increase in utilities. Fortunately, with our simple tips above and our dedication to energy efficiency and high-quality systems at Weston Dean Custom Homes, you can optimize the performance of your air conditioner with ease while also saving money and energy—and increasing your peace of mind. 

To learn more about our green building practices in all of our gorgeous new homes throughout the Texas Hill Country area, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (210) 408-9107, or contact us online at any time.