Keeping Your Cool (When It’s Hot)

Beat the coming heat with these expert tips and affordable a/c options. 

Summer hasn’t hit our neighborhood just yet, but when it does, it’s going to hit hard. In fact, those in the know are calling for a hotter summer than usual, and last summer was already a scorcher.

Does your home’s air conditioner have what it takes to battle that kind of heat? And does your wallet have what it takes to pay your July and August utility bills? I can tell you from experience, the time to prepare for the heat is right now. Finding a fix in the dog days of summer is a situation that’s sure to get you hot under the collar.

So, take springtime to plan for summer’s cooling needs. Here are a couple of suggestions.

Add Ductless Cooling

Our neighborhood is blessed with historic homes, many of them fixer-uppers. But some vintage homes weren’t designed with air conditioning in mind. Even if your older home has a forced-air HVAC system installed, you might find yourself reaching for window AC units to cool some rooms, especially on the upper floors.

But window units aren’t very efficient. They can end up draining your bank account without keeping you all that cool. Ductless mini-splits, however, can efficiently add an AC boost to your hot rooms. A ductless system is great if you like to keep your bedroom cool. I recommend Samsung’s Wind Free system so you don’t wake up with a stiff neck and sore throat from air blowing on you all night.

Just be sure to consult with a pro to get your ductless system sized right.

Get Smart

Summer utility bills are high enough without cooling an empty house all day. If you haven’t upgraded to a smart, Wi-Fi thermostat, it’s guaranteed that you’re going to waste money this summer. A smart thermostat will automatically stop cooling when no one’s home, then start cooling when you’re on your way home. You can control your AC from your smartphone, or adjust the temperature with voice commands through Alexa or Google Home. These are amazing gadgets, and I highly recommend them.

Use Some Common Sense

If last summer was too hot for you to handle, maybe your air conditioner just needs a little help from you. Block the ways heat can enter your home, especially south- or west-facing windows. You can pick up a set of thermal-blocking curtains at any department store. Also, try wearing lighter clothes inside during the summer and using your ceiling fans to keep you cooler.

Here’s hoping that reports of a red-hot summer are at least a little exaggerated, and that everyone stays cool until fall hits. If you would like more information about HVAC upgrades in Philly, visit www.calljg.com or call us at (215) 375-7134.