The world is a pretty uncertain place right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are worried about their health and their jobs, so it’s understandable that the last thing you might want to do is pay a stranger to walk through your home and perform HVAC repairs. For that reason, we’ve come up with some air conditioning tips for summer 2020 in Richmond to help you stay safe (and cool!) when the weather gets hot.
Implementing just a few simple strategies can help keep your home cool and reduce the wear and tear on your cooling system. Not only can this lower the chances you’ll need emergency repairs this summer, but you could also improve efficiency, which can save you money on your utility bill.
Coronavirus Pandemic
This summer is going to be different than any other in recent history. The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives and it’s hard to know when things will get back to normal. At W.G. Speeks, we’re committed to doing our part to keep our customers (and community) safe.
Right now, while we perform scheduled maintenance and respond to emergency repair calls, we will be wearing gloves and increasing our sanitizing efforts. This means that we’ll be wiping down all equipment surfaces and door handles to follow best practice guidelines during the pandemic. We’ve also asked all staff members to stay home if they’re feeling unwell.
Allergies & Air Filters
You don’t have to spend much time in Richmond to know that our city experiences a robust allergy season. Our lush, green landscape is beautiful, but the downside is that our air is filled with pollen, dust, and other allergens that can impact indoor air quality and your health.
We highly recommend changing your air filters on a monthly basis. They can easily become clogged with contaminants, making it harder for your air conditioning to work effectively and efficiently. Keep things cool and your air clean, while also reducing wear and tear on your HVAC system, by replacing your air filters often.
Cookouts
While social distancing guidelines are in place, you might not be hosting many guests, but it’s hard to beat a good cookout during the summer! You can, however, still enjoy some delicious grilled food sitting in the backyard with your family and a cool drink.
One of our Richmond air conditioning tips, however, is to avoid opening and closing your backdoor too often. When you go in and out of your home, all of that precious cooled air will escape. Instead, gather everything you’ll need, firmly close your door, and then stay out in your yard until it’s time to come in.
Dress Light
We tend to run our air conditioners all day, every day during the humid Richmond summers, but that can be really hard on the equipment. Keeping your HVAC unit well maintained is important, but it’s also good to give it a break sometimes.
By wearing clothes made from light-colored, breathable fabrics, you’ll help yourself stay cooler when it gets hot. That way you’ll be able to turn down your AC system and give it a well-deserved break (and reduce energy consumption)!
Hurricane Season
In Virginia, hurricane season runs from June through November. During those months, we typically see several powerful storms. The forecasters are now predicting that the 2020 hurricane season will be more intense than average. It’s a good idea to plan ahead to protect your home and family.
Tropical storms and hurricanes come with strong, high winds. Keep an eye on the weather reports so that you can move or secure grills, patio furniture, toys, and other items that could get blown around and damage your home, including your outdoor HVAC unit.
Keep Your Home Cool
A well-functioning air conditioner is definitely an asset in Richmond, but there are plenty of other ways to keep your home comfortable in the summer. Here are a few suggestions:
- Create a cross breeze by opening windows or doors on cooler days.
- Keep your curtains drawn or blinds closed to keep the sun from heating up your home.
- Use a ceiling fan to help circulate the air.
- Avoiding baking and boiling food on your stovetop, as this can add to the heat and humidity inside your home.
- Unplug electronics when not in use as they can also emit heat and waste energy.
You may still need to turn on your air conditioning to stay cool this summer, but implementing some or all of these strategies will make it even easier to keep your home a reasonable temperature.
Richmond Air Conditioning Repair
We hope that you won’t need any repairs this summer, but if your HVAC system needs attention, W.G Speeks will gladly answer the call. After all, we’ve been proudly serving the Greater Richmond Region for more than 75 years!
Our NATE-certified technicians are experienced and dedicated to providing the very best customer service. We also offer a no-risk, free consultation so you can book your appointment with confidence. Don’t suffer in the Richmond heat needlessly this summer — give us a call. We’re here to help!
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