Hot summer temperatures in Southern California can cause some residents to retreat to the cool air conditioning. As comforting as it is, blasting the chilly air also causes your utility bills to skyrocket and overwork your AC. The good news is that you don't have to suffer in the heat. There are many methods you can try to stay cool indoors without putting your system and comfort at risk.

Do Proactive Measures Really Make a Difference?

Absolutely! Taking the right proactive measures can make a huge difference in helping extend the lifespan of your AC. Making sure you're not overworking the appliance is one of the best things you can do for it. However, there are plenty of other steps, including replacing the air filter frequently and calling us for seasonal tune-ups.

Does Overworking an AC Decrease Its Lifespan?

Unfortunately, it does. An HVAC unit typically lasts 15 to 25 years. When it's overworked, it strains the system, which could lead to it needing repairs or completely breaking down way before then. To avoid overworking your system, try to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.

What Can I Do to Keep My Home Cool?

Don't get so worried about overworking your AC that you make yourself uncomfortable throughout the summer. There are multiple things you can do to maintain your comfort while giving your AC a break.

Install a Mini-split Heat Pump

You can install a mini-split heat pump even if you have an HVAC unit. It offers multiple benefits, but one of its best features is providing zoned cooling and heating. Instead of cooling your entire home, you can use it to chill only specific rooms. For example, if you have a heat pump in the living room, your bedroom, and the kitchen, you can turn it on only in the living room if that's where you're spending your time and leave the other units and your primary HVAC unit off. It gives the other units a break, helps you reduce energy consumption, and allows you to keep your utility costs at a minimum. A mini-split has a shorter lifespan than an HVAC unit, typically 10 to 15 years. Cleaning its filter is one of the best ways to help it last as long as possible. It comes with a reusable one, and you can clean it every few days with mild soap and water, unlike a filter in an HVAC system that needs replacing every 1 to 3 months.

Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a cost-efficient way to stay cool without having to blast the AC. Make sure you change its direction to counterclockwise so that it propels nice, cool air downward toward you. Keep your ceiling fan clean, which is as important for its lifespan as it is for your indoor air quality, especially if you have allergies. Carefully dust it at least once a week, but be careful how you handle the blades. Bending them can damage the fan and cause it to work improperly. Care for your ceiling fan well, and it can last approximately 10 years.

Upgrade an Old HVAC Unit

If your HVAC unit is already 10 to 15 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. The older an HVAC unit gets, the less efficient it becomes and the harder it has to work to cool your home, which increases utility bills. Considering it's at the end of its lifespan, it's only a matter of time before either the repairs become more frequent or it has a full breakdown and leaves you without a primary cooling source in the middle of the summer.

Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat can be a great way to reduce energy consumption and keep your home cool without skyrocketing your utility costs. It offers numerous advantages, including allowing you to track energy usage and receive maintenance alerts to better grasp what's going on with your system. Many homeowners also appreciate how they can control their system remotely, allowing them to turn on the air conditioning so their home is cool and comfortable when they return. Our team can install it so that you get to enjoy its benefits throughout the summer and beyond.

Strategically Use Heat-Producing Appliances

Some appliances, like your range, clothes dryer, and dishwasher, can warm their surrounding area, which isn't ideal during the summer when you're trying to stay cool. Avoid using these appliances during the warmest part of the day. Many people think the hottest time of the day is noon, but it's actually between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. If possible, use the appliances when it's cooler in your home, either very early in the morning or late at night.

Cook Outdoors

Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by cooking outdoors as much as possible. You won't have to worry about heating your home's interior in the process and having your AC overwork itself trying to get it to a cooler temperature. Delicious food is a welcome perk.

Keep Blinds and Curtains Closed

Closing your curtains and blinds often during the summer helps keep your home cooler by acting as a barrier to block out direct sunlight. Sunlight heats everything as it streams in through your windows, walls, furniture, and floors. In turn, these parts of your home radiate heat into the room. Closing them helps keep your home cooler.

Create Cross Ventilation

Indoor air gets warm and stagnant when the windows are closed for too long. It's a good idea to open windows for an hour or two a day to circulate the air. However, it's also important to open them at the coolest times of the day to avoid heating your space more than necessary. Early morning and late at night are ideal times.

Fix Drafts

Gaps in your windows and doors allow hot air to infiltrate your home during the summer. They also let out the cool air your HVAC system worked hard to produce. Don't worry if you can't replace or fix your doors or windows just yet. Use window draft stoppers to block the drafty areas. They're typically easy to put on and remove when necessary without causing damage. Make sure to read the packaging for more information before applying it. There are also multiple types of door draft stoppers to consider, so you can choose one that best suits your preferences. Some slide under a door so it's visible on both sides, and others adhere to one side of the door to create a barrier; they stay in place whenever you open and close the door. You can also get easily movable options that are usually plush and/or contain heavy beads. They sit on the floor on one side of the door without attaching to it. Although they're effective, you have to constantly move them back into place whenever you open and close the door. This can be an issue if you want it by your main point of entry. It moves with the door as you open it, but you won't be able to put it back in place once you close the door unless someone on the inside does it manually. Stay cool this summer, even if you're giving your HVAC unit a break. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and emergency HVAC services. Contact us at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® for AC inspections, installations, maintenance, and repairs.