Stay Cool: 7 Energy-Efficient Ways to Cool Down in Spring

As icy winter days become rarer and the mild warmth of early spring takes hold, you might start thinking about how you’ll keep your living space cool and comfortable when summer arrives. Spring is the perfect time to adopt energy-efficient cooling solutions to help you save big in the hot months ahead.

Here are seven ideas to implement today, courtesy of the cooling specialists at A1 Chesney Service Experts.

1. Use Ceiling Fans 

If you don’t run your ceiling fans in the summer, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to enhance comfort and energy efficiency. By making the room feel roughly four degrees cooler, the wind chill effect from operating a ceiling fan enables you to dial up the thermostat without getting uncomfortable. Keep in mind, fans cool people, not rooms, so switch them off when no one is in the room.

2. Be Smart Around Windows 

When it comes to controlling your home’s temperature, windows can be your best friends or your worst enemies. The magic is learning how to use them properly based on what the temperature is outdoors:

• On cool but sunny days, pull up the blinds to allow the sunshine in and warm your home naturally.
• On much warmer days, open windows on opposite sides of the dwelling to generate a cooling cross-breeze. If allergies are a concern, it’s better to rely on your air conditioning system to stop pollen from getting in.
• On hot days, close the curtains over your south- and west-facing windows to minimize solar heat gain and postpone the need for home cooling.

3. Cook Your Meals Outdoors

Using the oven or stovetop can make your home hotter, making your cooling system work harder and consume more power. Make the most of the beautiful spring weather by shifting your cooking outdoors. Grilling is an excellent way to get some fresh air while keeping your house cool and comfortable. Plus, when you start grilling season early, you avoid the intense heat and bothersome mosquitoes of summer.

4. Spring Clean with Efficiency in Mind 

Spring cleaning is a tradition that provides a fresh, uncluttered home just in time for summer weather. You may not have heard, but spring cleaning is also an opportunity to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. As you give your home a rigorous cleaning, focus on spaces that can impede airflow and, as a result, increase your home’s electricity bills. Here are some areas to tackle:

• • Clean ceiling fan blades and set them to run counterclockwise.
• Apply caulk or weatherstripping to close leaks around windows and doors.
• Clean sliding glass door tracks to lower the amount of air leakage.
• Exchange the HVAC air filter to encourage optimal airflow.
• Remove debris from around the exterior AC unit to increase performance.
• Clean the coils below or behind the refrigerator to minimize the energy necessary to keep your food cold.
• Wipe down light fixtures and replace outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.

5. Schedule Routine AC Maintenance

A springtime AC check-up prepares your cooling system for the summer’s high temperatures. While you can do some tasks yourself, such as switching out the air filter and clearing away obstructions from the outside unit, only a skilled specialist can clean the evaporator coil, lubricate moving parts and top off the refrigerant. Annual check-ups can go a long ways to help decrease a home’s power consumption, promote more reliable performance and lengthen your cooling system’s lifespan. Set up service with A1 Chesney Service Experts in the spring so you can be sure that your system is ready to perform at its best when you need it most.

6. Don’t Forget Your Ducts

Spring is the ideal time to take a look at your home’s ductwork. Sealing and insulating the ductwork helps conditioned air move to its destination more efficiently. Then, detailed duct cleaning eliminates debris buildup, making sure air moves smoothly through the system. These ductwork services save energy and improve indoor air quality, making your home a more pleasant place to be during the summer.

7. Upgrade for Electricity Efficiency  

Give some thought to upgrading your HVAC system or major appliances to energy-efficient models this spring. ENERGY STAR-certified products use less power without sacrificing performance. Upgrades necessitate an investment, but you can expect significant energy bill savings and a more comfortable, sustainable residence. These improvements also improve a home’s value if you ever decide to move. Spring is the right time for HVAC updates, as contractors are generally less busy, so that it is easier to arrange the installation at a convenient time for you.   

Count on A1 Chesney Service Experts for Your HVAC Needs in Calgary this Spring 

For help carrying out any of these recommendations this spring, turn A1 Chesney Service Experts. We deliver affordable, energy-efficient cooling services in Calgary to save you money all summer long. Everything we do is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can rely on us to deliver comfort and a secure feeling in your home. For excellent service that makes a real difference in your daily life, call 587-315-5271 today!