Summers in the Northern Virginia area are notorious for being hot, sticky, and generally pretty miserable (but we still love them). This means you have to crank up the air conditioner and watch as your energy bills increase. But there are alternative ways to keep your house cool that can make a noticeable difference in your energy bills. Here are a few tips to keep your Fairfax, Arlington, or Loudoun County home comfortable in the summer – try them and see what works the best for your home!
Close Blinds or Shades
Your home can noticeably heat up just from sunlight coming through your windows. If you have any windows that get direct sunlight make sure to cover them during the day. You’ve probably noticed the change in temperature when you walk past these particular windows. You get a lot of heat from the sun, especially in the summer, and that can throw off your AC’s cooling ability. Closing your shades, blinds, or other window coverings will keep the heat out so your air conditioner doesn’t have to over-exert itself. But don’t feel like you have to avoid sunlight all together! Just cover up windows that have a lot of sunlight pouring in to keep your house cool. You can still have other windows open to get natural light in your home, just make sure these are getting indirect as opposed to direct sunlight.
Seal Windows and Doors
Put your hand around the edges of your windows and doors. Can you feel a rush of hot air? That means heat is getting into your home and making your air conditioner work extra hard. Replacing your windows and doors is one of the more expensive ways to keep your house cool, but it can end up saving you money in energy costs in the long-run. If you don’t want to get replacements, a little sealing can be effective as well. Weather stripping is useful as well as sealing up any cracks. The better the hot air stays out and the cold air stays in, the better you will keep your house cool!
Maintain Your Air Conditioner
An air conditioner that isn’t well-maintained won’t run at its optimal level. If you don’t already do so, make sure to regularly maintain your air conditioner. You can do this by changing your filters, getting professional inspections, and repairing problems when they arise instead of waiting for a breakdown. If you take care of your equipment, it will last you for many more years. At John Nugent & Sons, we make it easy. We provide HVAC service agreements in Northern Virginia so we come check out your equipment twice a year to make sure everything is working as it should. That way we can catch small problems before they turn into huge disasters.
We Can Help Keep Your House Cool in Northern Virginia
Whether you live in McLean, Arlington, Vienna, or anywhere in Northern Virginia, John Nugent & Sons can provide all the services you need to keep your house cool. In addition to the brand name air conditioners we carry, our Sterling, VA HVAC experts also perform installation, replacement, and repair services. We’ll make sure your equipment is working so you can keep your house cool. Contact us to learn more about our services today!