More than a century ago, keeping cool in San Marcos, Texas, meant opening a window or using a hand fan. Today, homeowners can simply turn to their air conditioning systems for cooling relief when the temperatures climb. Keeping your home comfortable in warm Texas weather involves operating your air conditioning system effectively and using a few supplemental strategies to cool your home. Here are five ways to keep your home comfortable in warm Texas weather:
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Before the start of the warm weather season in Texas, have your central air conditioning system checked by the HVAC professionals at Woods Comfort Systems. We’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your system and make any necessary repairs to keep it functioning properly.
Minimize Constant Temperature Adjustments
Don’t repeatedly adjust the temperature on your thermostat. Setting the thermostat lower than the desired temperature when you first arrive home from work wastes energy and won’t cool your house faster.
Installing and using a programmable thermostat is a more energy-efficient way of keeping your home comfortably cool. This thermostat will allow you to tailor your system to your daily needs and prevent you from adjusting the temperature inside your living spaces too often.
Don’t place heat-producing devices near your thermostat, either. A thermostat can sense heat from appliances, floor lamps or televisions. As a result, it can cause your home’s air conditioning system to run longer than necessary.
Change Your HVAC System’s Air Filter
To keep your home comfortable and prolong the lifespan of your home’s air conditioning system, regularly change its air filter. Dirty air conditioning coils, caused by low-quality filters, can impede the exchange of heat. As a result, it can cause high energy bills and reduce cooling efficiency.
If you have allergies or you’re concerned about pollutants affecting your home’s indoor air quality, consider installing an air purifier. These devices are capable of removing the smallest of particles from the air, including dust, pollen and plant spores.
Utilize Ceiling Fans Properly
While they don’t actually cool the air in your home, ceiling fans can help make a room feel several degrees cooler. That’s because they help to circulate cool air from your air conditioning system. Turn on your ceiling fans and turn up the thermostat by several degrees. Ceiling fans work best when the blades are 7 to 9 feet above the floor but no more than 8 inches from the ceiling.
Focus on Home Ventilation
On hot days and cool nights, open windows only during the evening. During days when you’re lucky enough to catch a breeze, create cross-ventilation inside your home. Open windows on both sides of rooms. Keep interior doors open to encourage the free movement of air throughout your home’s living spaces. In addition, be sure to keep curtains, furniture and potted plants away from room vents so that air can flow freely throughout your home’s living spaces.
Your home’s HVAC system needs to be correctly sized to keep your home comfortable. The size of your house and the climate will determine what type of central air conditioning system is best for your home. One that’s too small won’t remove enough heat and humidity. One that’s too large will cycle on and off too frequently, making rooms feel uncomfortable.
When determining the required operating capacity of a central air conditioning system, consult the HVAC professionals at Woods Comfort Systems. We’ll take your home’s ductwork, layout and cooling needs into consideration as we help you select the correct HVAC system for your home. Learn more about a variety of HVAC products and our air conditioning installation services by calling 512-842-5066. We’re standing by to help you stay comfortable in your home.
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