GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Aug. 22, 2019 - Heating and A/C Expert Bryce Heffelfinger, owner of A/C Expertek Service & Installation, reminds home owners that maintenance on your HVAC system should be performed regularly, about once a year. In addition, Heffelfinger offers the following practical tips to stay cool and save money on your monthly utility bill:
1. Spice it up!
Eating something hot is a great way to stay cool. It's the same reason that people in hot climates often eat spicy food! Capsaicin, the substance that makes spicy food spicy, binds to receptors in your mouth. The brain interprets this as being hot, and instructs your body to sweat. The evaporation that occurs on your skin subsequently cools you down. It's a brilliant method to cool down when the temperature goes up.
2. Say goodbye to incandescent lights
If you ever needed motivation to make the switch to LED lights, now is the time. About 90 percent of the energy in incandescent bulbs goes into making heat, while about 80 percent of Compact Fluorescent Lights goes to heat! So replacing these heat sources will make a big difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill. And, while LEDs are more expensive to purchase, they last 25 times longer, saving you significant money over the life of the bulb.
3. Avoid expensive breakdowns
Make sure you have your HVAC system inspected and tuned up every year to ensure it's running at peak efficiency and saving you money. One faulty part can place strain on the rest of the system, and can lead to sudden and expensive breakdowns. Tune-ups are very affordable and extremely cost effective. Most of us wouldn't dream of going a whole year without getting an oil change for our vehicles, it's just as important for our air conditioning systems.
4. Consider using a programmable thermostat
It's amazing how many people don't use programmable thermostats, says Heffelfinger. They are one of the best ways of reducing your monthly utility bill, and they often pay for themselves in one year. A simple 5-day/2-day programmable thermostat is not expensive and will allow you to set up a separate schedule for weekdays and weekends. The U.S. Department of Energy says you can achieve around a 10 percent energy savings by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees F from its normal setting for 8 hours a day.
5. Use an energy efficient A/C unit to save 20-40 percent
According to Energy.gov, "Most central air conditioning units last about 20 years. At 12 years old, an air conditioning unit is passing its mid-life point. But even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you could save 20-40 percent of your cooling energy costs by upgrading to a more efficient model."
To learn more energy-savings tips or to schedule an A/C tune-up, contact the HVAC pros at https://acexpertek.com/tipsandtricks/ or 623-537-4830. A family-owned business, A/C Expertek has more than 28 years of experience servicing Valley home owners and has an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau.
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