5 Ways To Beat The Heat

Let’s face it the summer temperatures can be brutal but when a heat wave hits our area the conditions can become unbearable.

According to many indicators analyzed by the https://www.epa.gov/climate-research, current heat wave frequency and the length of our recent heat waves have increased since the mid-1960s. The average heat wave season is now 45 days longer than it was 50 years ago!

So how do we begin to keep our home and commercial properties cool and comfortable during such harsh temperatures? To begin with we have to keep in mind even the best air conditioners on the market are only going to cool your home about 20 degrees cooler than the current outside temperature.

But here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are experiencing a heat wave.

1. Turn your AC fan from “auto” to “on”. The continuous flow of air will help circulate the air from room to room. This could possibly also assist with the upstairs-downstairs flow that impacts the 2-story homes.

2. Resist setting the AC to lower temperatures. When are not getting the results we want from our AC we have a tendency to set the AC at lower temperatures than normal. This puts your AC unit in an uphill fight trying to cool down your property. During a heat wave you may have to accept that your AC may not be able to hit the mark of that perfect temperature.

3. Close the blinds. On a beautiful sunny summer day we are tempted to leave our blinds open and window coverings open. However, keeping your blinds closed during the day will reflect a surprising amount of heat radiating in through the windows, especially during the time of day when the sun's rays shine directly on your home. So on the sunny side of your property make sure to keep the windows covered.

4. Turn off the appliances. Our dryers, ovens, and dishwasher introduce heat to an already warm environment. On extremely hot days it is better to use the outside grill or settle for a meal that doesn’t need to be heated. If you do need to use these appliances, try limiting their use to certain times of the day when the outside temperatures are cooler and your AC unit isn't working overtime to cool your home.

5. Use your ceiling fans. Even though a fan doesn’t cool the air as many believe it does help with cooling the occupant. It actually dries the skin and gives you a sense of being cooler. So ceiling fans and or floor fans can be a big bonus when used during a heat wave.

After putting these tips into practice you should see relief from the heat. However, if you don’t you may want to consider a new AC unit. When your car gets older and accumulates miles, it loses power and efficiency over time. Just like your car, an older air conditioning system may not be able to properly cool your home as well as it did when it was first installed.

An AC unit can last up to 20 years but if the unit is over 10 years old it may not be working to its full capacity. Statistics show that after 10 years a unit can lose about 40% of its efficiency.

Take a quick look at your AC unit and if the coils are powdery white or flaking off, it's time to call an expert. Here at Brinson and Sons, twe will be glad to come out, take a look and give you the best solution on what you should do to keep your home cool.

We are here and waiting on your call!