Are you planning a party this summer? Whether you're organizing a bash to commemorate the Fourth, a family birthday fete or just a fun event to celebrate the season, keeping your guests cool without sending your energy bills skyrocketing is an important consideration. Here are some ideas on how to keep your guests comfortable at summer parties without breaking the bank:
Have Your Cooling System Serviced
Make sure you schedule a preventive maintenance appointment to optimize your cooling system's performance and energy efficiency. A maintenance visit also gives your technician a chance to find developing HVAC problems so you can have them dealt with and minimize any risk of unexpected breakdowns.
Do Pre-Party Cooking Outdoors
Use your outdoor barbecue grill to cook any dishes you're preparing in advance instead of turning on your kitchen range or oven. This will keep the interior of your home more comfortable, and let you avoid an increase in the cooling load and energy consumption of your air conditioner in the days leading up to a party.
Add Outdoor Fans for Air Movement
If you plan to utilize a covered outdoor patio or deck area for food prep, dining or seating, consider having a couple of outdoor ceiling fans installed prior to your party. Running the fans on low speed during the event can provide a cooling wind chill effect that makes everyone feel more comfortable. As an alternative, place two or three pedestal or table-top fans on the deck or patio to boost air movement.
Modify Your A/C Use
On the day of your get together, you can expect lots of foot traffic between your indoor and outdoor living spaces, so running your A/C at the usual temperature setting is bound to waste energy. Instead of worrying about that costly conditioned air escaping, turn on the ceiling fans in any rooms guests may occupy, then raise your thermostat's temperature setting by several degrees so the A/C doesn't cycle on as often.
To schedule HVAC maintenance in your Fort Wayne home prior to your planned summer parties, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.