New Mexico summers can make you lose your cool, literally and Affordable Service wants to help keep your AC working efficiently. When our daytime temperatures reach the 90 degree mark, and especially when they tip over the 100 degree level, we really know the summer heat has arrived.
Keeping your home cool can be a challenge. Whether you have a swamp cooler or refrigerated air, some simple tips can help keep the heat outside, making it easier (and more energy efficient) to keep the inside cool.
For example, keeping your window blinds closed can make a huge difference. It’s estimated that 30 percent of the unwanted heat in your home comes from your windows. Close the blinds and if you have curtains or drapes, pull them as well, especially on south and west facing windows. Consumer Reports even recommends that the use of natural colored curtains with white plastic backing; they will reflect light and can reduce heat gain as much as 33 percent.
Next, check your ceiling fan. Fans should be set to run counter-clockwise in the summer, which will direct the cool air downward. In the winter, reverse the direction do that the warm air is redistributed into the room.
If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, consider the switch to compact fluorescent lamps. Older incandescent bulbs waste up to 90 percent of their energy giving off heat. Swapping them out will reduce the heat they give off inside your home, and save some money on your electric bill.
Preventive maintenance on your cooling system is also valuable in keeping your system running when the weather turns hot. If you experience an air conditioner or swamp cooler that doesn’t seem to be cooling as well as it used to, call Affordable Service. We’ve been helping Albuquerque and Rio Rancho homeowners stay cool since 1986! We’ll work to help keep your home cool, even in emergencies when the A/C or swamp cooler fails. Here’s to keeping cool this summer!
