Is Service Every Several Years Enough?

When was the last time you had your air conditioner serviced? Was it this year? Was it last year? Was it several years ago? It’s common for homeowners to believe that they only need their cooling system serviced every couple of years, but is this correct?

Although your air conditioner may seem to be running fine, there are certain things that must be done in order to keep it running at maximum efficiency. Your equipment should be serviced by a professional every year to make sure. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do on your own:

• Try running your air conditioning less during the peak of the afternoon. This is when the price of electricity is often the highest, so set it a few degrees higher after lunch.
• Air flow is key. If your unit can achieve maximum air flow through the outdoor condenser coils it won’t have to work as hard. Make sure the area is clear.
• Clean out the grill of the unit. A little bit of dirt and debris are normal, but if there appears to be a lot be sure to clean it out.

Need your air conditioner serviced? Count on the experts at Aspen Air Conditioning to make sure it’s operating at maximum capacity so you can stay cool this summer.

Plant Shade Trees To Help Keep Cool

Did you know that planting shade trees around your property can help keep your house cool during the warmer months? Not only will they block the sun’s hot rays, they will help keep their air in the shade cool as well. We know you don’t want to wait decades for them to grow, so here are a few of the fastest growing shade trees:

First off, you must understand that even the fastest growing trees will take about five to six years to provide any decent amount of shade. They must also be planted in soil that is filled with optimum moisture and nutrients. See below for a list of some species:

• Freeman Maple: will grow to 75-80 feet tall and prefers sun and moist, well-drained soil.
• ‘Green Vase’ Zelkova: this tree gets its name from its vase-shape with upright branches and dark green leaves. It prefers full sun to partial shade but can adapt to a variety of soils.
• Tulip Tree: with a straight trunk and oval crown, this tree will grow 75-90 feet tall and prefers full sun and deep, moist soil.

Remember to keep your air conditioning unit as well as your thermostat out of direct light. Heat will cause your cooling system to work harder and more often which will only raise your energy bills. For more information, contact the experts at Aspen Air Conditioning today!

3 Ways To Beat The Heat This Summer

Most of us welcome the summer season with open arms, but we could all do without those expensive cooling bills that come along with it. While it feels great to keep your air conditioning system on full blast all summer long, your wallets and checkbooks would beg to differ. Here are a few ways to keep cool this season without breaking the bank:

1. Cover Up Sunny Windows: while it’s nice to let sunshine penetrate your windows, those sunny rays are only making your home warmer. Cover up all windows that are in direct sunlight by using a simple curtain or blinds.
2. Open Up Your Windows At Night: it’s a great idea to open up your windows on cooler nights. The overall temperature in your home will drop and even though you may wake up a bit chilly in the morning, you won’t have to run your air conditioner all day long.
3. Take Cold Showers: jumping in a cool shower will help to lower your body temperature and make you feel cooler, making you less likely to crank up the A/C. Cold water is cheap so it’s a great way to cool off after spending time outside in the heat.

Sticking to these three tricks will help to keep your energy bills down this summer. You can also head out to public places that are air conditioned to give your system a break.

At Aspen Air Conditioning, our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of comfort through quality maintenance, service and installation practices. Contact our experts today at 561-395-1500 to learn more!