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When the temperature in Mansfield, TX, climbs, residents are often left scrambling for help. To beat the heat, you need to take steps before temps soar. Here are a few tips from Minuteman Heating & Air’s heating and AC repair to keep your home cool when the heat reaches triple digits.
1) Keep Blinds Closed During Peak Hours
Keep windows covered during peak hours of heat—between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., usually—to prevent heat from building up inside your home. Consider using room-darkening and cooling blinds or curtains to maximize your comfort and keep the temperature down. These are available in a variety of styles and colors to complement most decor. If you live in a Mansfield apartment, close the blinds on the windows that face west to prevent the afternoon sun from heating your home’s interior.
2) Seal Air Leaks
Check for air leaks around windows, doors, outlets, and vents before cranking up the AC. Caulk any cracks you find, especially if they’re near doors or windows that lead into unconditioned spaces, like attics or crawlspace. The more energy-efficient your home is, the easier it will be to keep cool and the less you’ll need to spend on heating and AC repair.
This step includes adding or replacing old weatherstrip on your doors and windows before the temperatures rise. Weatherstripping is an excellent DIY project that will help keep your home cool when the heat increases in Mansfield.
3) Adjust Your Thermostat
If you have central AC, consider increasing the temperature a few degrees when the heat rises in Mansfield. This simple step will help your system run more efficiently and reduce the load on your cooling system. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to 88 degrees when you’re not home. Ask your heating and AC repair technician for more tips on adjusting your thermostat to keep your home cooler.
When you return home, make sure it’s not too hot by adjusting the thermostat setting by one or two degrees each hour until your house is cool. This small step can save you from needing heating and AC repair.
4) Use Your Exhaust Fan Properly
If you don’t already have one, install an exhaust fan in your kitchen and bathroom and use it to reduce humidity from building in these rooms when running the dishwasher and after showering. Excess moisture can make your home feel warmer. It also makes it harder for your AC unit to cool your home. Also, clean these regularly to reduce the amount of dust and dirt in the air. However, you should still have all your fans and vents cleaned properly with a heating and AC repair service.
5) Use Your Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers reduce humidity levels in the air, cooling your home by several degrees and helping your AC work more efficiently. Opt for a dehumidifier with an energy-efficient setting to maximize its benefits on hot days if you’re already using central AC. Your HVAC specialist from Minuteman Heating & Air in Mansfield, TX, can explain the different options and help you make the best choice for your home. The combination system is ideal for staying cool during hot summer days.
6) Install Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home when you’re not there. You can set your AC to cool your house before you arrive home, turn it off while you sleep at night, and warm it up several hours before you wake up. Ask our heating and AC repair technicians about the right device for your home.
7) Use Fans Properly
Proper fan use can help your AC keep your home cool when the heat reaches triple digits in Mansfield. Ceiling fans and box fans work by drawing warm air away from you and pushing it up to the ceiling where it accumulates, allowing your AC to more efficiently cool the air that reaches you more. Floor fans help by creating an air current that circulates the room’s cooler air. Turn off ceiling and box fans when no one is in the room because they can use more energy than central AC. For advice on the best cooling products, speak with our heating and AC repair staff.
8) Avoid Using Your Oven
The oven can add a lot of heat to a room. During the summer, use microwaves and portable grills instead of cooking something hot. This step also applies when using your stovetop burners. Overall, when the heat hits triple digits, avoid activities in your home that cause it to increase more. Instead, use the steps from above to help improve the efficiency of your AC unit and better cool your home.
9) Make Sure Your AC Unit Is Running at Top Efficiency
Before the heat hits its peak, ensure your central AC unit is running at top performance. You can do this by having an HVAC technician from Minuteman Heating & Air in Mansfield, come out and inspect your unit once a year. This maintenance task ensures it works as efficiently as possible and will use less electricity, meaning you’ll spend less on energy bills each month.
The certified HVAC technician comes with many common parts to fix and maintain your system. If you need a repair or replacement, the service tech will let you know and ensure your AC unit is ready for the heat. Even if you have a newer air conditioner, maintenance, including replacing filters and oiling moving parts, is the best way to keep your AC unit running efficiently.
Units over ten years old might need more extensive repairs. A complete replacement might be the more cost-effective option. New HVAC systems have a warranty and can keep your home much cooler during the hottest days of summer because they’re significantly more efficient than older units. Your heating and AC repair service provider will work with you to find the best solution to keep your home comfortable when replacing your HVAC system.
Contact Minuteman Heating & Air in Mansfield, TX, if you’re experiencing problems with your home’s cooling system during the hot summer months. Our certified heating and AC repair technicians are available 24/7 to help you get your AC unit running smoothly again. We also offer various services to keep your AC unit running at peak efficiency, including annual inspections, repairs, and replacements.