Repair & Improve

Using Your AC Wisely

Air Conditioners are designed for about a 20-degree change in temperature.  This means that 100-degree air will be cooled to 80 degrees.  Don’t allow the interior of your home to become dangerously hot since the air conditioner cannot cool it down within a reasonable amount of time.  Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but be careful not to block airflow.  A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.  Using ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans can help cool your home without greatly increasing electricity use. Ceiling fans improve airflow and create pleasant breezes.  Remember, a ceiling fan doesn't cool the room - it cools you, so turn the fan off when you leave.

Finally, you’ve probably heard it said a million times:  “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!”  But did you know that there is something you can do about it?  Aprilaire makes a whole home dehumidifier that removes the proper amount of moisture from your home, and as a result keeps you comfortable while preserving your home.  And, unlike portable dehumidifiers that sit in the basement and need to be constantly emptied, the Aprilaire Whole-Home Dehumidifier is professionally installed into your heating and cooling system where it runs 24/7 keeping humidity down throughout your entire home.  The unit can remove 90 pints of water a day from your home leaving you cool and comfortable.

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