HVAC Repair in the Bay Area – Tips for Staying Cool Without HVAC
Air conditioning can really make your utility bills soar. If you’re trying to reduce your reliance on your AC or waiting for HVAC repair in the Bay Area, here are a few ways to keep your home cool without the AC.
Cover Your Windows
The sunlight that enters your home turns into heat. Reduce the amount of sunlight that comes into your home with medium colored drapes and a white plastic backing. You might also consider blackout curtains, but that can make your home feel like a cave. Keeping the windows closed also prevents the outside heat from warming up the air in your home.
Fans Are Your Friend
Although fans only move air around without cooling it, fans can be your biggest help in the summer. Put your fan in a strategic place, i.e., a cool location, and have it blow the cooler air into warmer areas. Create a cross breeze to help circulate the cooler air around. If it’s really uncomfortable, fill a large bowl with ice and place it in front of the fan. The fan will blow the cool air off the ice into the room.
Get a Dehumidifier
Humidity can make the heat especially tough, because higher humidity decreases the rate of sweat evaporation. You feel sweatier in hot weather and it makes you uncomfortable. A dehumidifier doesn’t reduce the ambient temperature, but it does decrease the humidity in the air.
Install an Attic Fan
A whole-house fan, AKA attic fan, is installed in the attic to push out hot air through the attic vents while pulling in cooler air through the windows. An attic fan doesn’t use as much electricity as an HVAC unit, so it can cut down on your bills, even if you have central AC. For AC or heater repair in Oakland, always call a professional.
Don’t Use Your Oven
Any appliance that increases the heat in your home makes your AC work harder. Summer is the best time to cook outside and dine al fresco under the shade of a huge tree. If you do need to run your oven (or dryer) choose to operate them at night or in the morning before it gets real hot outside.
The Best HVAC Repair in the Bay Area – Element Home Solutions
For professional heating repair in the Bay Area, contact Element Home Solutions. We can help fix your AC, find solutions for heating and cooling issues, and install new HVAC systems to help you be more energy-efficient.