With temperatures on the rise and summer in full swing, many of us are cranking up the air conditioning and bracing ourselves for the higher energy bills that inevitably follow. Summer doesn’t have to break the bank, however. Many of the ideas for cooling your home that are listed below can also help you save energy and most importantly, cash. Most of these are fairly simple adjustments that can easily be performed by the average homeowner, but a few may require assistance from a licensed professional such as a team member from Salt Air Heating and Cooling. Here are a few ideas for keeping your home cool and comfortable this summer:  

• Adjust all ceiling fans to ensure a counter-clockwise rotation in the summer.
• Check to make sure exterior doors and windows are tightly closed.
• Change or clean air filters regularly to keep everything performing well and running at peak capacity.
• Check the rating of your system in regards to its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Systems rated at 15 or higher are more efficient.
• Make the savings automatic by setting the thermostat fan switch to the Auto position. This prevents the system from running constantly.
• Block the sun! Shades, blinds and drapes can be used to keep the inside cool. Planting trees or installing awnings can help prevent the sun from producing excess heat within your home.
• Use injected foam insulation to insulate your walls. This will save energy by preventing hot outside air from seeping through porous block walls—check with your local building supply company for details.
• Arrange for a professional to tune-up your system. The impact of an inefficient AC system can mean high monthly bills. Getting a tune-up for your system could even get you a tax rebate.
• Make sure air vents are clean.
• Repair leaky ductwork to reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Install R-30 rated attic insulation and seal any attic leaks to reduce cooling costs of your home.
• Check for household leaks to prevent air from escaping through areas such as fireplace dampers, doors and windows.
• Decorate for a cooler home. Hanging light-colored curtains will block some of the sun’s rays and still allow light to enter a room. Also, using lighter paint tones will help reflect heat.
• Call a pro at the first sign of trouble. Some of the top warning signs to watch out for include:
  • When the unit isn’t cooling properly or keeping up with desired temperature setting
  • Loud noises
  • Errors on the thermostat
• Use ceiling fans to keep cooling costs at a minimum. Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb, just be sure to turn them off when you leave—they only provide a cooling effect for people, not rooms.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature of your system during times when you will not be at home.

The tips listed above can help you maintain a comfortable temperature within your home, provide savings on power bills, and extend the lifespan of your system, but the most effective strategy would be to have a customized solution developed for you by one of the professionals at Salt Air Heating and Cooling. For a consultation about how to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer, call us today at 910-777-3539.


Salt Air Heating & Cooling provides a full lineup of maintenance, new installation, and service work to residential and commercial clients in and around the Wilmington, NC area. Salt Air is comprised of true HVAC experts, adept at diagnosing and servicing all makes and models of heating and air equipment. The Salt Air team completes 1,000 hours of continuing education per year to ensure our employees are trained on the latest technology. To arrange a free at-home consultation, call (910) 777-3539, or visit the company’s website at www.saltairinc.com.