Whew, IT's Hot, Hot, Hot! | Slipcovers for Your Walls

It’s hot! And so is Casart’s Summer Sale! But don’t get in a sweat. It just started yesterday, so breeze on over to our site to take advantage of the savings.

It’s just mid-July and already it’s hot, hot, hot. Does your A/C ever conk out the first day the thermometer goes above 90? That happened to me and two friends a few weeks ago. I was getting paranoid until I saw an article by Marni Jameson on just that subject in the paper Sunday. Turns out that happens a lot. Why? According to the experts, including my reliable Family Air, frequently because they have not been used all winter and not serviced seasonally. Well, my central air and heat systems (there are 4) are checked twice a year but I know in my case, the main system is just plain old. I know the feeling. I had to replace the motor and now perhaps both of us will have a 10-year life span!

Here are some suggestions for keeping your A/C repair and energy bills down.

Clean filters on a regular basis and clean the condenser once a year. Check the coolant every 2 years. When you system is functioning at optimum level, you will see it reflected in your energy bills and in repair bills. Check your owner’s manual for information about maintaining your unit. If you can’t find the manual, most companies post one on their websites. You can save further by making some of the maintenance and minor repairs yourself, but if you are like me, just arrange to have it checked twice a year by a professional.

As far as other savings on the energy bill, you can set your thermostat up when you’re gone all day or if you can program it, shut it off when you leave and have it come back on right before you come home. I don’t like the latter idea because with summer temps in many locations, you’d be able to fry an egg on the kitchen counter when you walked back into your home! Much better just to set the thermostat to 78 while you’re gone. I don’t like the idea of closing vents and doors to rooms you aren’t using either. That just results in a musty, stale-smelling room. Having adequate shade from trees will also help cut the energy bill. Adequate insulation will do the same. And unplugging microwaves, coffee makers and other electronics will save a little as they draw power even not in use. Okay, I confess, I’m just too lazy to unplug the toaster, coffeemaker and certainly not the microwave or TV when they are not in use and then have to plug them all back in again. That takes too much effort and it’s just too hot. I’m out of here!