7 Tips to Stay Cool This Summer Without Breaking the Bank

Even in the month of April, you need to plan for the hotter weather ahead—especially when it comes to lowering energy costs that continue to rise.

You do not have to suffer the Idaho heat by limiting how much you run your air conditioning or heat pump. There are better ways to stay cool this summer without breaking the bank.

Western Heating & Air Conditioning can show you how to enjoy a comfortable summer without abandoning your cooling system or undermining your budget. Our family business has delivered the best heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) service possible to customers in Greater Boise for over 50 years.

Our qualified HVAC professionals can help you maintain your heating and cooling equipment, repair it, and replace it when it has outlived its usefulness. Every step of the way, we keep cost-saving strategies in mind.

7 Ways to Lower Your AC Bills in Boise

You can take an active role in lowering your cooling costs without skimping on comfort. Here is how we can work together in Greater Boise to make this summer your most comfortable ever:

1. Change Filters
   As simple as it may seem, changing your HVAC air filter is essential for unimpeded cooling. Operating your air conditioner or heat pump with a clean filter saves your equipment from excessive wear and tear and premature replacement.
   
   A dirty filter restricts airflow, making your system work harder and use more energy.
   
   You can ensure your filter is clean by inspecting it every month and replacing it when it is dirty. Consult your cooling system manual for more information on filter change frequency. 

• DIY Maintenance
  Give your heat pump or air conditioner room to do its job by cutting back surrounding shrubs and weeds. Indoors, occasionally dust or vacuum registers and grilles, and move obstructions away from air vents.
  
  Dusting and vacuuming your living space contributes to good indoor air quality (IAQ) and prevents debris from circulating through your ductwork and HVAC system.

• Professional Maintenance
  Our Blue Ribbon Maintenance Plan can help you stay on track with annual cooling system tune-ups with scheduling reminders, priority service, and repair discounts. Some tiers include filter changes, coil and blower cleaning, and a water heater flush.
  
  All plan options include a safety and performance test.
  
  Annual AC and heat pump maintenance is worth every penny.  Maintenance boosts your air conditioner’s energy efficiency and addresses minor problems before they worsen. An efficient, well-maintained AC system or heat pump saves money on cooling costs.

• Block Sun Rays
  Close drapes and blinds, especially on south-facing windows. Add reflective film, available at home improvement stores, to your windows and block rays that heat your home.
  
  Outdoor awnings shade your windows from the sun and may help keep them clean. Add an awning to shade your air conditioner if it is in a sunny area.
  
  Turn off lights during the day and replace incandescent lightbulbs with LED lightbulbs.

• Fans
  Running a central cooling system does not preclude using a ceiling fan. Operating a ceiling fan in counterclockwise rotation can increase your comfort while allowing you to increase your thermostat and decrease the workload on your heat pump or AC system.
  
  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says you can raise your indoor temperature by 4° Fahrenheit and remain comfortable using central air conditioning and a ceiling fan.
  
  You can cool down with a table fan or floor fan while running your AC or heat pump and increase your thermostat at the same time. 

• Correctly Sized Equipment
  If your central air conditioner or heat pump is too big for your home, it may cycle on and off quickly and fail to reduce humidity. Too much moisture contributes to poor air quality, a stuffy environment, and high energy bills.
  
  Ask our Western Heating & Air Conditioning experts for a consultation if you suspect your cooling system is too big for your Greater Boise home. We can determine if the issue is an oversized unit or the result of a problem such as a refrigerant leak or a faulty thermostat.
  
  If the unit is too big to cool your home efficiently, your best option is to replace it with a correctly sized system. We can recommend a high-efficiency heat pump or central air conditioner that will keep you comfortable this summer without busting your budget.
  
  We are proud to be a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, offering the best cooling equipment in the HVAC industry. 

• Smart Thermostat
  Replace your standard, manual thermostat with a Wi-Fi–enabled, programmable or smart thermostat.
  
  You will gain the ability to adjust thermostat settings when you are away from home through an app on your smartphone and schedule daily temperature changes. Some smart thermostats self-adjust based on home occupancy, bedtime, and other factors.

Start Saving Today

Ask our expert team at Western Heating & Air Conditioning about money-saving strategies for cooling your Boise, ID, home. We can help with maintenance, repair, replacement, and new devices, such as energy-saving smart thermostats. Call us at 208-319-1736 or request service online.