6 Tips for Staying Cool During Extreme Heat

As Jacksonville’s temperatures soar into the 90s and the real feel peaks above 100 degrees it’s become more important than ever to stay cool wherever you can. Turning your thermostat down is one of the most logical ways to beat the heat but it also demands peak performance from your air conditioner unit. We’ve put together a list of Charlie’s top 6 tips to keep your HVAC system running efficiently throughout Jacksonville’s extreme heat.

1. Adjust your thermostat accordingly for the day and nighttime

We recommend setting your thermostat around 78 degrees during the day. Keeping your air conditioner on throughout the day at a higher temperature will allow it to work more efficiently when you return home from work. Because your home will already be reasonably cool, your AC unit won’t have to work as hard to bring the temperature down. At nighttime, feel free to turn your thermostat even lower. Because the sun has set your air conditioner won’t have to combat the high outdoor heat and hot sun, so it won’t have to work as hard to cool your house down.

2. Stay on top of regular maintenance

During seasonal high temperatures, be sure to help your unit out by scheduling a maintenance request to keep your AC unit running as efficiently as possible. Regular maintenance will ensure that your unit is free of leaks, properly cleaned and tuned, and most importantly, running smoothly. It’s important that your system is serviced by a HVAC professional seasonally. Regular maintenance insures your unit is running as if it was fresh off the factory floor. It will extend the life of your HVAC system as well as to ensure peak performance and efficiency.

3. Don’t forget to change your air filter

While you may only need to change your air filter every couple of months, it’s smart to change it during extreme heat before making your system work double-time. Your air conditioner will have to work hard during the hottest summer months to keep your house cool. This means that it’ll be pulling more air through the filter than it normally would in cooler months. Any airflow restriction or blockage will make your unit work even harder than it already has to do during the hotter months.

4. Cut back shrubs around your outdoor units

If you notice your A/C unit struggling to cool your home, another place to check is the unit itself. Many people try to hide their unit from site by planting bushes around their air conditioner. Check around your outdoor unit and be sure to cut back any shrubbery so that it’s at least 2-3 feet away. It’s important to give your outdoor unit plenty of adequate air flow so that it runs more effectively and efficiently.

5. Run the dish washer and dryer at night

You might want to rethink your schedule if you normally run your dish washer or clothing dryer during the day. Because each appliance uses high temperatures to dry either dishes or clothes, it’s only natural that their usage will also raise temperatures in your home. Excess heat caused from the drying cycle of your dishwasher or your dryer will contribute to higher indoor air temperatures resulting in your unit having to work harder to keep your home cool. You can combat this by running your dryer or dish washer at night when indoor and outdoor temperatures are already cooler.

6. Keep heat-producing appliances away from your thermostat

If you feel like your home is staying cooler than you set the thermostat for you might want to double check what’s around your thermostat. Be aware of how close lamps or television sets are in proximity to your thermostat. The added heat that they produce can trick your thermostat into thinking your home temperature is higher than it actually is resulting in you’re A/C unit running longer and harder than it needs to.

Staying cool during the extreme heat sometimes feels impossible, especially when you’re in the thick of the summer or live in a hot climate. These simple tips can help reduce your electric bill, keep you cooler as well as extend the life of your unit. For more HVAC tips be sure to check out our previous blogs.