Maximize the cool during summers heat

We all know that sweaty, drippy 90-degree, 100-percent humidity feeling. While we havent had that hot, sticky kind of weather yet, we know its coming this summer, and it pays to be prepared.

Even if you have air conditioning at home like almost 90 percent of Americans, there are still ways to maximize the cool during the hottest days of summer.

Leave your air conditioning units fan in the on position all the time, advised Mike Fields, service technician at Dave Lamb Heating & Cooling in Fenton. Also, maintain a constant temperature in your home, especially if its humid outdoors. Dont turn off the air when you leave your house, then turn it on when you get home, and expect it to be cool right away.

When running your air conditioner, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer try it at 78 degrees or higher. Each degree setting below 78 degrees will increase energy consumption by about 8 percent. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the less your overall cooling bill will be.

Fields also suggests that you size your air conditioner based on the size of your home. Some people buy an air conditioner thats too large, thinking it will provide better cooling. However, an oversized air conditioner is actually less effective and an energy waster.

For every 600 square feet of house, you need a ton of air conditioning, he said. In BTUs per hour, an area that is 1,400 to 1,500 square feet needs 24,000 BTUs. Have your house properly sized for air conditioning. There are so many variables, such as the age of your house, how large your ducts are, etc.

All homeowners with air conditioning also need to be aware of the phasing out of the ozone-depleting refrigerant R22 in 2015, a staple in most systems.

Customers need to check their units now, because R22 and its replacement 410A are not compatible, said Fields. He suggests that homeowners check with a heating and cooling professional to see how this environmental change will affect their system.

Other ways to stay cool at home this summer

Install programmable thermostat to automatically reduce the temperatures during low-occupancy hours.

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Maximize the cool during summers heat