Challenge Yourself to a Guilt-Free, Chilly Summer with These 4 Tips

Summer heat kicks into high gear. As you watch the temperature drastically increase, you may also notice the number on your electrical bill is also on the up and up. By taking preventative measures, you can keep your HVAC system expenses down for the remainder of the summer.preventative maintenance for hvac

Look no further: We’ve collected the top 4 tips to help your facility stay in budget while also enjoying a properly chilled indoor setting.

Circulate Air Efficiently with Fans

Occupant comfort is often at the forefront of a facility owner or manager’s mind. When air is circulating efficiently and effectively, less moisture is touching your occupant’s skin making them feel cooler.

Although high-speed fans and pedestal fans are commonly used, they often underperform and present dangers. Instead, try using High-Volume, Low-Speed fans. These fans evenly distribute cool air throughout heat layers. This large column of air creates an efficiency unmatched by high-speed or pedestal fans. With blades ranging from two to eight feet, HVLS fans are the perfect solution for a small office or a large warehouse.

Plus, your efforts will not go unnoticed, and your occupants will thank you.

Program Your Thermostat

At Rasmussen Mechanical Services, we’re heavy believers in programmable thermostats. Start watching your costs cut down when you install yours this summer.

With a programmable thermostat, you’re able to strategically cool your space based on time and level of use. For example, in an educational facility, you may want to raise the temperature of the area while students and administrators are out of the building for weekends or long breaks. Set your thermostat up at the beginning of each season so you can set it and forget it. Also, be sure to lock your thermostat so occupants aren’t increasing or decreasing the temperature and adding to your cooling expenses.

Note: Although your temperature should fluctuate based on the level and time of usage, your HVAC system should remain turned on throughout the hot, summer months. This will help ensure your facility reaches the desired temperature in a timely manner when you need it. The most efficient temperature for the summer is 78 degrees.

[Want to ensure that you’re HVAC is providing you cool air during the Summer season? Download our HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist today!] 

The Department of Energy estimates savings of about 1 percent for each degree of thermostat adjustment per 8 hours and recommends turning thermostats back 7 to 10 degrees from their normal settings for 8 hours per day to achieve annual savings of up to 10%.

Maintain Your HVAC System

The absolute best thing you can do to decrease your overall costs is to schedule preventative maintenance check-ups for your HVAC system. This regular maintenance for your system may cost money upfront, but will dramatically reduce the need for costly, emergency technician visits.

The list of do-it-yourself tasks includes:

• Cleaning or replacing your air filter.
• Checking or recharging your refrigerant level.
• Clearing drain pans and condensate lines of any obstructions.
• Cleaning the duct system of damage or leakage.
• Inspecting and testing the humidifier.
• Cleaning the combustion inlet air screen.
• And much more.

Take a peek at our HVAC Preventative Maintenance Checklist to see what else you can be doing to maintain your system. Be sure to reach out to an expert for further assistance or to answer any of your questions.

Utilize Renewable Energy

Conserve energy, and in turn, cut costs by utilizing a renewable energy source. HVAC systems that rely on power from solar panels and geothermal energy will use less energy than a traditional system. Although these systems do come with a hefty upfront cost, they will allow you to take a step away from costly fossil fuels with constantly increasing prices. By using a renewable energy resource, you’ll reduce your long term costs and your carbon footprint.

HVAC equipment and usage typically make up 25% of your total energy bill. To keep costs down, challenge your maintenance crew to follow our above-mentioned tips. If you have questions or would like to schedule an HVAC consultation, reach out to Rasmussen Mechanical Services at 1-800-237-3141. Our expert technicians can assist in everything from constructing a preventative maintenance plan to installing a new system that relies heavily on renewable energy.