During a South Florida summer, your air conditioning system can feel like a lifeline. However, it’s not your only line of defense against the tropical heat. By getting a little creative, you can help your air conditioning system work less hard to reach your desired temperature. Here are a few unique ways to keep your home cool during the hottest time of the year:
Buy New Ceiling Fans
Having the right ceiling fans can make a big difference. When you keep the air circulating, your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work as hard, which can make you feel cooler at higher temperatures. Newer fans are rated in terms of efficiency. One that gives you 100 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per watt, will be plenty efficient for most homes. Fans with fewer blades are also more efficient, so consider buying one with three or four blades.
Switch Up Your Lighting
Changing up your lighting can make a major difference in the ambient temperature of your home and in your electric bill. Incandescent light bulbs, the least expensive variety, emit a great deal of heat while lighting less efficiently than their compact fluorescent counterparts. CFLs generate less heat, while LED light bulbs don’t generate any heat at all. LED light bulbs have the added benefit of lasting longer, although they do have a higher upfront cost.
Install an Outdoor Shade
An outdoor awning can add value to your home and boost the curb appeal. They come in fabric, metal and polycarbonate varieties and can be sloped, concave, convex or domed. Polycarbonate awnings block out the entire UV spectrum, making them the most efficient at keeping heat outside. However, they’re more expensive than fabric ones and may not be as aesthetically pleasing. Before adding one of these to your home, make sure you’re allowed in your area. Look into city, county, or HOA regulations before making this investment.
HVAC System Won’t Turn On
Using the stove and oven generates a lot of heat. If you have smaller kitchen appliances, such as air fryers and pressure cookers, you can use less electricity and often make your food more quickly. If you just have the oven and the stove, consider cooking items together or back-to-back if they have similar time and temperature requirements.
You can strategize outside the kitchen, too. Running your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the early morning or the evening will lessen the impact of the heat they generate in your home. You can also benefit from unplugging devices when they’re not in use, as many devices continue using electricity and generating heat even when powered off.
While there are many steps you can take to keep your home cool, your air conditioning unit does most of the heavy lifting. Maintaining your air conditioning system is a major part of keeping your home cool and energy efficient. With more 5-star reviews than any other South Florida HVAC contractor, you can count on Freezing Mechanical to help with your air conditioning needs. Call us at 305-363-7021 or schedule an appointment online today.