Tips & Tricks To Get The Most Out Of Your Cooling System
Summer in Lubbock means one thing: your air conditioner is about to become the hardest-working appliance in your house. We’ve been helping Lubbock families stay cool since 1995, and we’ve learned a thing or two about keeping those electric bills from melting your budget faster than ice cream on hot pavement.
Let’s be honest – nobody wants to give up a summer vacation because their power bill is too high. The good news? You don’t have to. We’re sharing our favorite tricks for squeezing every ounce of efficiency out of your AC system without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.
If you’re looking for help with your air conditioner, we can help! Send us a message online or call 806.795.1207 today!
Change Your Air Filter (Seriously, Set A Reminder)
We can’t stress this enough: a dirty air filter is your AC’s worst enemy. When that filter gets clogged with dust, pet hair, and whatever else is floating around your house, your system has to work twice as hard to push air through. We recommend checking your filter monthly during summer and replacing it every 1-3 months depending on your household. Got pets or allergies? You might need to swap it out even more frequently.
Think of it this way – would you rather spend $5 on a filter or $500 on repairs when your system overheats? We thought so.
Give Your Outdoor Unit Some Breathing Room
Your outdoor unit needs space to do its job properly. We see too many units surrounded by overgrown bushes, stacked storage, or decorative fencing that blocks airflow. Keep at least two feet of clear space around all sides of your unit, and trim back any vegetation that’s getting too cozy with your condenser.
While you’re out there, grab the garden hose and gently rinse off the coils. Dust and debris build up over time, making your system work harder than necessary. Just remember to turn off the power first – we don’t want any electrical mishaps!
Master The Art Of Strategic Thermostat Settings
Here’s where people get creative with their thermostat habits, and not always in good ways. We recommend setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and bumping it up a few degrees when you’re away. Every degree higher can save you 6-8% on your cooling costs.
The key is consistency. Your AC works most efficiently when it’s maintaining a steady temperature rather than constantly cycling on and off. Those dramatic temperature swings might feel satisfying, but they’re murder on your electric bill.
Block The Sun Before It Heats Your House
Prevention beats cure every time. Close your curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day, especially on windows that face west and south. You’d be amazed how much heat enters through windows – it’s essentially turning your home into a greenhouse.
If you’re feeling ambitious, consider upgrading to blackout curtains or installing window film. These investments pay for themselves quickly during Lubbock’s brutal summer months.
Use Fans To Your Advantage
Ceiling fans and portable fans don’t actually cool the air, but they make you feel cooler by circulating air across your skin. This means you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher while maintaining the same comfort level. Make sure your ceiling fans are rotating counterclockwise during summer to push air downward.
Just remember to turn fans off when you leave the room – they’re only helping when people are actually there to feel the breeze.
Seal Up Those Energy Leaks
Your house probably has more air leaks than you realize. Check around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and anywhere pipes or wires enter your home. Even small gaps can let precious cool air escape while letting hot air sneak in.
Weatherstripping and caulk are your friends here. These inexpensive fixes can make a noticeable difference in how hard your AC has to work. Pay special attention to the area around your front door – if you can see daylight around the edges, you’re definitely losing cool air.
Schedule Regular Maintenance (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
This might sound self-serving coming from an HVAC company, but regular maintenance really does make a huge difference. During a tune-up, we clean coils, check refrigerant levels, tighten electrical connections, and catch small problems before they become expensive disasters.
A well-maintained AC system runs 15-20% more efficiently than one that’s been neglected. Plus, you’ll avoid those dreaded breakdowns during the hottest weeks of summer when everyone else is calling for emergency repairs.
Give Us A Call When You Need Professional Help
Even with the best maintenance and efficiency tricks, sometimes your air conditioner just decides to take an unscheduled vacation. When that happens during a Lubbock heat wave, you need help fast.
We’ve been Lubbock’s trusted AC repair specialists for nearly three decades, and we understand that a broken air conditioner isn’t just an inconvenience – it can be downright dangerous in Texas heat. Our emergency repair team responds quickly to get your system back up and running, because we know that every minute without AC feels endless when it’s 105°F outside.
Don’t let AC problems leave you sweating it out this summer. Call Hart Heating & AC at 806.795.1207 or contact us online. We’re here to keep Lubbock comfortable, one home at a time.
