South Carolina Heat! Understanding your HVAC system.

This time of year is hot hot hot! We understand you may be concerned with the overall performance of your AC unit.

Most people think that just because its not a perfect 72 degrees inside, that their unit isn't working properly. More often that not, that isn't the case.

According to Completeac.com most of the Air Conditioning units found in South Carolina are designed to control the air to 15-20 hotter or colder than the outside. So when its 100 degrees outside, your unit can cool the inside to 80 or 85 working at optimum compacity. Lowering the temperature more than 20 degrees will only add stress to your unit.

Read the full article here: https://completeac.com/2018/07/why-your-ac-wont-cool-your-home-more-than-20-degrees/

Tips for keeping your home cool:

1. Close your blinds

Keep your blinds closed, especially on north and west-facing windows, to significantly cool your home. Better yet, invest in some block-out curtains to shield your home from that harsh summer sun.

2. Block the heat

Stopping heat getting into your house in the first place means spending less on cooling. Shade windows and walls using external coverings, like blinds, awnings or large potted plants.

3. Adjust ceiling fans

Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise in summer to push air straight down helping to create a cooling effect and clockwise in winter to pull cool air up.

4. Open the doors

Keep the doors inside the home OPEN for optimum airflow and circulation.

5. Hang out in the evening

Cooking dinner in the backyard or at the park may be a cooler alternative to being in a steamy kitchen too, so make the most of a cool breeze when you can.

6. Chill out, not chill on

Sip icy-cold drinks, apply a damp cloth to your neck and other pressure points on your body, or have a cold shower to cool your body without needing to switch the air-conditioner on.

7. Hack a fan

A cleverly-positioned bowl of ice is all you need to turn a fan into a cold mist machine. Place a shallow bowl or pan of ice in front of a fan for an icy-cool breeze that won’t break the bank.

8. Choose cotton

Cotton fabrics are super breathable and help cool your body. Wear light, loose clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton, and fit your bed with cotton sheets.

9. Change your lightbulbs

If you’re having trouble cooling your home and can’t work out why, incandescent lightbulbs might be to blame. These lightbulbs were phased out in Australia years ago, but many homes still use them. They produce a lot of heat, so switching to energy-saving bulbs can help cool your home and save heaps on energy costs – that’s a win-win!

10. Change Your Filters

To keep your air conditioner working at its best, change the filters. A dirty filter and obstruct the air flow, causing the unit to work harder.