How to keep cool while saving energy
While the temperatures continue to rise, those who don’t have reliable air conditioning in their homes (almost) yearn for the cooler months. However, you can still enjoy summer, even if you don’t have A/C with these tips from Hoerner Heating and Plumbing.
Toronto’s hot and humid summer climate calls for an efficient A/C system to keep your family comfortable. Hoerner Heating & Plumbing has a reputation as the hot water and heating specialists in the GTA, and we’d like to uphold our commitment to you by introducing a new service known as ductless air conditioning.
Plus, taking advantage of the safety tips during extreme heat waves and electrical storms can help protect your family and prevent costly AC repairs during Toronto’s humid days.
- Insulate – If your A/C is blasting but you’re not really feeling the effects, it could mean that your home is drafty, and therefore, your system is not working efficiently. Ensure all doors and windows are closed so that cool air doesn’t escape and to avoid hot air from seeping in. If there are any leaks, seal them with weather-stripping and caulking.
- Reduce humidity – When your home is humid due to kitchen and bathroom heat, it can feel even hotter. Relative humidity combines with air temperature to increase the “feels like” temperature. Avoid this by using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to expel humid air.
- Keep the kitchen cool – It’s no secret that nobody wants to slave over a hot stove in summer. Additionally, apart from raising the temperature in your home, ovens use more electricity, which forces your A/C to work double-time. The good news is that there are many new small appliances that deliver amazing home-cooked meals without heating up the whole house. Invest in a microwave, crock pot, toaster oven, and electric pressure cooker to cool your kitchen and allowing you to create amazing meals in less time – allowing you to enjoy those long summer nights to the fullest.
- Save power – By keeping your electronic devices plugged in all day, even if they are off, drains power – and your wallet. Instead, plug them into a power bar and turn them off during mid-peak and on-peak hours when the prices are much steeper.
- Let the air circulate – If you don’t have an air conditioner, it is important to keep the air moving around your home by creating a cross-breeze. Open windows on opposite sides of the home, or on the upper and lower floors.
- Use window coverings – Draw your curtains during the sunniest parts of the day to keep out the heat. You can also reduce solar heat gain by using awnings, window film, blinds and blackout curtains to prevent your A/C from working harder than necessary to maintain comfortable temperatures.
- Invest in a ceiling fan – Save on your power bill by installing a ceiling fan with blades angled counter-clockwise at an angle of 12 to 16 degrees. This way, you can enjoy the same level of comfort with a cooling downward breeze while setting your thermostat 4°C higher.
- Turn up the dial – For every degree you turn up the dial on your temperature, you use between 3-5% less energy. Either use a programmable thermostat or manually set the thermostat to 25°C when you are home, or 28°C when you are out.
- Clean your A/C – Regular TLC will help ensure that your A/C works as efficiently as possible. Clean and replace your air filters regularly, and also clean out debris and dried leaves from the condenser (the outdoor unit). Ensure good air circulation by trimming back any foliage at least two feet.
- Regular A/C Maintenance – Most air conditioner manufacturers recommend annual servicing by licenced heating and cooling contractors. Not only does this keep the system working efficiently, but it can trim your cooling costs by as much as ten percent.
Ductless Air Conditioning
We install Mitsubishi Brand heat pumps only as Hoerner Choice Heat Pumps and A/C mini splits.
Mini splits have taken the market by storm, thanks to its efficient functioning, flexible application, and size that works for just about any home or business including restaurants, computer rooms etc. Ductless mini splits (or duct-free splits) is the ideal solution for homes that have no ductwork. Typically, such homes either have no air conditioning, or they use window air conditioners. Ductless split systems offer a safe, efficient and quiet alternative.
Contact a home comfort consultant at Hoerner Heating & Plumbing today to discuss how mini splits can enhance your family’s comfort while saving on energy costs. We look forward to being of service to you.