Summer temperatures are already here, and if you’re a homeowner or business owner in Georgia, your HVAC system probably gets a lot of use all season long. Unless you fully optimize its efficiency, you’re wasting money, and you might be overworking your air conditioner without even realizing it.

Whether you’re still in the construction process or have lived in your home for years, you have plenty of options for increasing your efficiency and lowering your bills. Don’t forget to schedule preventative maintenance for your HVAC system; you shouldn’t wait until a leak or problem for professional assistance, which includes everything from filter replacement to internal lubrication.

However, you can take matters into your own hands too. Make sure you have an energy-efficient summer by maintaining a regular duct cleaning regimen and inspecting your windows and door frames for any gaps or cracks. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a few more helpful ways to lighten the load on your HVAC system this year:

• Increase insulation levels (choose insulation with R-levels worthy of Georgia summers)
• Choose high-efficiency roofing and window materials
• Add shade (e.g. exterior awnings or thick interior screens) to windows
• Add exhaust fans to rooms that tend to be more hot or humid, such as your kitchen, bathroom and attic
• Use appliances (e.g. your washer and dryer) before and after the highest temperatures of the day; this peak period is usually between 10 AM and 4 PM
• Turn off appliances when you’re not using them

It’s also important to make sure your HVAC unit is in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can make your air conditioner’s job more difficult, consuming more energy than necessary, so it’s a good idea to plant a tree nearby or install an awning above it.

For more information about HVAC efficiency and maintenance, please contact us at Powers Heating & Air in Peachtree City, Georgia. We have decades of experience keeping homes and businesses comfortable throughout Georgia, and we’ve been serving Fayette and Coweta counties since 2001. We’re also happy to give free estimates for both installation and replacement.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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