How to Beat the Heat for Less | Winters®

CJ’s Tips for Staying Cool for Less

Hey, friends — it’s your pal CJ the Plumber here with a handful of my favorite tips to keep you cool this summer! Sure, you might be thinking to yourself, “he’s a plumber, he’s not an HVAC technician…” — but, truthfully, I’m a jack of all trades and know a thing or two about a sweltering summer day in Massachusetts!

So, if you’re looking to keep cool all season long for a fraction of the cost, here are some great tips that anyone can utilize:

Don’t Be Afraid to Use the Grill

No, I’m not talking about actually being frightened of this summer cooking staple — but to not be hesitant to start whipping up some meals outdoors instead of being so quick to use your stove! Sadly, as it turns out, your stove emits radiant heat — which will raise the temperature in your home.

And if your central air conditioner is already in full swing, that extra heat will make it work twice as hard to keep you cool around the clock (which — you guessed it — also uses an alarming amount of energy). So, don’t be afraid to have a burger, hot dog, or grilled vegetable night a few times throughout the week; your central air conditioner will thank you in the long run!

Cut Down on Sugary Foods and Drinks

You know how your parents always made it a point to limit the number of sugary foods and drinks you consumed as a kid? Well, friends, it’s not only beneficial for the health of your teeth — it comes in handy for staying cool in the summertime, too!

Unfortunately, sugary snacks and beverages tend to dehydrate — and by limiting your water intake, that could spell trouble. In addition to drinking more H2O, you may want to consider consuming more water-based foods that can keep you hydrated — such as watermelon slices, apples, grapes, and more.

Have a Smart Thermostat Installed

Now, you know your pal had to throw in a central cooling tip in here somewhere! And for my tip of choice, I suggest you consider a smart thermostat for your humble abode. Long gone are the days where you’ll crank the knob and walk away — because this device will be your best friend during those warm, hazy summer days!

With a “learning thermostat” in-tact, this gadget will allow you to set a custom cooling schedule that will reflect your schedule (i.e., you’re at work between 9-5) and won’t chill your home when no one is present.

Another perk about this device is that it can be controlled by a smartphone or tablet and will even send alerts if it believes your air conditioner needs a repair appointment from a member of our team — talk about top-notch service!

Keep Your Window Treatments Shut

There’s nothing better than letting that glistening summer sunlight enter your home — but doing so, sadly, can also heat it. And when this happens, friend, you’ll notice that your central air conditioner will go into overdrive to combat those powerful rays.

If you’re looking to give your home comfort device an easy work schedule, you may want to consider keeping your window treatments shut in rooms that are typically flooded with sunshine throughout the day. Doing this will give your cooling system a chance to “breathe” while keeping your home nice and cool — what’s better than that!

Don’t Put Off Air Conditioning Repairs

Does something sound strange to you each time you turn your air conditioner on? If so, shut off the unit and give me a call right away — because ignoring that sound could lead to a bigger problem down the road.

Putting off a lingering repair can make the unit use much more energy to get the job done (since it will have to work twice as hard to produce cold air) and can even wear down your central air conditioner to the point where a repair will not be able to mend it — you’ll have to replace “your pal” earlier than anticipated.

However, one way to lessen this from happening is to schedule an annual maintenance appointment every spring with my team! An HVAC technician will inspect your central air conditioner from head to toe, ensuring everything is working properly and efficiently. If they notice something that appears out of the ordinary, they’ll be able to fix it before it has the chance to turn into a larger problem down the road.

Same-Day HVAC Services in Boston, MA

Now, friends, if you’re looking for additional ways to beat the heat this summer, your pals at Winters Home Services can help with all your home cooling needs! From new installs to repairs, we can tackle it all. Give us a call at 617-221-5899 or fill out a form on our website for more information!

With that said, cheers to another incredible summer!

Your HVAC & plumbing bud,

CJ