Beat the Austin Heat: Summer HVAC Tips
Simple Tips to Help You Stay Cool This Summer
Maximizing Your HVAC Efficiency with Green Leaf
Beat The Heat & Save Green
Summer is here, and it’s time to make sure you’re ready to beat the Austin heat wave! With temperatures soaring into the 90s and 100+ degree range, it can be challenging to stay cool. Luckily, there are many ways of ensuring that your home or business will remain comfortable this summer, and we have the inside scoop for you!
Our experts at Green Leaf AC, Heating, and Plumbing have put together these summer HVAC tips for Austin homeowners and business owners to help you maximize your efficiency this summer on your cooling system and enjoy your summer in air-conditioned comfort without being hit with an unexpectedly high power bill.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip One: Invest in a Good Air Conditioner
Review Energy-Efficient Options That Fit Your Budget
During the peak periods of hot weather here in Austin, it’s essential to have an efficient air conditioner in your home or business to maintain a comfortable space to live or work. This is why our first summer HVAC tip is to make sure that if/when you upgrade your air conditioning system, you’re investing in one suited to your needs, budget, and space.
It can be challenging to decide on the most practical solution, but a good rule of thumb is to focus on energy-efficient models with good ratings. AC systems that can efficiently deliver consistent cooling without breaking the bank each month when you get your energy bill will be the best investment.
It is crucial to research and consider important factors such as energy efficiency ratings, cost of installation and maintenance, and the size of your home or business before deciding. Taking this approach will help ensure that your home or business remains cool and comfortable for the duration of the summer with an air conditioner that can accomplish these two outcomes.
Take the time to research your options so you can make an informed choice that will serve you, your family, or your employees for many seasons to come. At Green Leaf, we’re only installing HVAC units that meet the most up-to-date energy efficiency standards so you can be sure your home or business is equipped with the best.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip Two: Weather Stripping
Use Weather Stripping On Windows And Doors To Seal Out The Heat
Summer in Austin, TX, means hot weather, high humidity, and the urge to keep your air conditioning running all day long. However, doing so will result in unnecessarily high energy bills. Another summer HVAC tip and way to keep your HVAC bills down is to insulate your home or business with the proper weather stripping.
This is an effective way to seal out the heat and humidity while keeping the cool air inside from escaping through gaps in your doors or windows. Weather stripping can be applied around windows and doors as well as in other areas that may be exposed to the sun, such as attic entryways.
Doing this can help keep your home cool and pleasant while reducing cooling evaporation, which can save energy, money, and comfort. Don’t let the hot summer sun get to you. Insulate your space with weather stripping and stay cool all summer long! If your home or business is properly insulated, but you’re still experiencing high indoor humidity or unregulated high temperatures in your home, your system could be in need of maintenance. Those are instances where you’ll want to get in contact with a Green Leaf AC, Heating, and Plumbing HVAC technician.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip Three: Plant Trees and Shrubs Around Your Property
Providing Shade And Protection From The Sun And Heat
Although this is considered a long-term approach, another summer HVAC tip for homes and businesses in Austin is to plant trees and shrubs around your property. This is an excellent option that provides the value of increased comfort, benefits the environment, and can even improve your property’s curb appeal.
As your trees mature, they can protect your property against the sun as it bears down on your home or business. Additionally, strategically placed shrubs can protect areas with windows where cooling evaporation occurs.
This will help keep your home or business cooler, which will also work to reduce the frequency at which your energy-efficient AC unit automatically turns on to bring the temperature down inside your property. Reducing your system’s usage lowers the cost of your utilities and provides relief against wear and tear so that your AC unit lasts longer. If you are looking for a simple yet effective way to stay cool this summer and into the future, consider planting trees and shrubs as an option.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip Four: Use Light-Colored Shades or Curtains
Keep Sunlight Out During The Hottest Hours Of The Day
Using light-colored shades or curtains to keep the sun and heat out is another cost-effective way to keep your energy usage down and your home cool. This option is usually more economical and inexpensive for homeowners, especially for those looking to create more immediate relief in a home whenever the AC is struggling to keep up with the demand for cooling. Blocking direct sunlight with light-colored curtains or shades can be an easy way to keep your interior cool during the hottest hours of the day.
Lighter colors function better to keep your inside cool than curtain styles like “Black-Out” or dark colors because not only do lighter curtains or shades create a cool and calm atmosphere in your home, they also reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it like dark colors. When you have an energy-efficient AC system, it will turn on when the temperature in your space rises above a certain point because it is meant to keep your atmosphere regulated. With light-colored shades or curtains, you can save on your energy bills by keeping the temperature in your space down so your AC turns on less frequently.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip Five: Install Ceiling Fans
How Air Circulation Helps Combat Heat
Ceiling fans are a great option and one that we recommend as another summer HVAC tip for our Austin community. They help not only because they cool down and add comfort to the rooms, but they also help circulate air.
Air circulation moves or pushes cool air down while hot air rises. Combined with your air conditioning, it packs a powerful combination of cold air and air circulation to help keep your home or business cool without the air conditioning having to run nearly as much as it would without ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans are also an inexpensive way to add some aesthetic appeal to your space, not only aiding your indoor comfort but even helping improve the ambiance. Our next tip in keeping your air filters clean will also play a large part in improving the circulation of air through your space.
Summer HVAC Pro Tip Six: Clean or Replace your Air Filters Regularly
To Maximize AC Efficiency and Properly Circulate Clean Air
One frequently overlooked Austin summer HVAC tip is replacing your air filters regularly. As air passes through your air handler from your air conditioning (and furnace when in heating season), it collects dust, dirt, and more to prevent large doses of allergens and debris from being released into the air you breathe. As time passes, this debris collects and begins to saturate the filter preventing air from flowing freely.
Clogged or dirty HVAC air filters reduce the amount of cool air being distributed throughout your property and cause your AC system to work harder to cool your inside space. Unfortunately, this can also produce more wear and tear on your ac unit, leading to premature breakdowns and paying hundreds of dollars for an ac technician to fix these issues.
As a part of your AC maintenance, it is essential to routinely replace your filters to keep your home comfortable and air moving through your air handler uninhibited. High-efficiency air filters can last you up to 12 months, but others will need to be changed at least once every 30-90 days. If you need help with AC maintenance services in Austin, Green Leaf AC, Heating, and Plumbing can help with one of our AC maintenance plans to ensure your system gets the upkeep and care it deserves.
Enjoy The Summer In Style and Comfort
Stay Cool with Ease and Save Green
By following these Austin summer HVAC tips, you can ensure that you and your loved ones will be comfortable and safe during even the hottest heat waves. Investing in an energy-efficient air conditioner, adding insulation, planting foliage for shade, installing ceiling fans, using light-colored curtains, and cleaning or replacing air filters are all beneficial strategies for keeping cool.
Although taking precautions when picking out cooling solutions is essential, it’s fundamental to use professional HVAC services provided by qualified technicians as they specialize in helping customers choose a system that fits their individual needs and their budget. Let our team at Green Leaf work with you this summer so you can enjoy these hot days feeling cool, refreshed, and rejuvenated!
