CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – As temperatures continue to rise throughout the summer and schedules begin to fill up, it becomes very important to keep up with household maintenance and take necessary precautions to beat the heat.  The experts at Universal Heating and Air Conditioning recognize that it can be quite difficult to simply stay cool, and understand how dangerous severe heat can be - to your health and your energy bill. Universal Heating and Air Conditioning has provided the following tips to help comfortably survive the heat this summer, while being more energy efficient.

Keep It Cool
Air Conditioners are designed for about a 20-degree change in temperature.  This means that 100-degree air will be cooled to 80 degrees.  Don’t allow the interior of your home to become dangerously hot since the air conditioner cannot cool it down within a reasonable amount of time.

Personal Safety First
In severe heat, be sure to limit your activity, drink plenty of fluids and do not go outside in the afternoon.  Along with staying in the shade, wearing light colored clothing and hats can help keep you cool.  Keep pets inside and make sure they have plenty of water to drink.  Never leave pets or children in a closed car, even if for only a moment.

Change Is Good
Have a clean air conditioner filter, and change it every month.  By doing this, you can help ensure that your family is breathing cleaner air and your HVAC system is not being overworked, thus potentially saving energy and money.

Become A Fan Of Your Fan
Always run your ceiling fans to stay cooler in the summertime.  Check your fans to ensure they are going in the correct direction.  In the summer, your fan should be set on “forward,” which means the blades are rotating counter-clockwise.  There is a switch on the base where you can control this.  By moving your fan setting to the forward position, you will receive a nice downward breeze keeping you cool.

Check It Out
The best defense against air conditioner problems is to have a service agreement in place and make sure your system is maintained year-round, especially right before the heavy heat of summer sets in.  This is the time of year when your air conditioning system works its hardest.  Regular tune-ups reduce your risk of experiencing common malfunctions and will help you stay cool when everyone else is sweating the heat.

This professional inspection should include:
    -Checking and cleaning of your entire system, including outdoor A/C units
    -Analyzing pressure, temperatures, motors and controls
    -Checking, cleaning and calibrating the thermostat
    -Lubricating motors where necessary
    -Checking air handler, bearings and blower motor
    -Inspecting and cleaning condenser coil
    -Inspecting condenser fan, motor and blades

Look Up
When the weather becomes very humid, duct work may sweat and condensate.  This can cause a back up if the drains are not clear.  Leaks in the seams can also cause condensation.  If you have an attic installation, be sure there is no water in the drain pan. If there is water, call for help as it could save your ceiling.

Fun In The Summertime
Many homeowners and their families plan to take vacations during the summer.  When leaving for an extended period of time, be sure to turn down the temperature of your water heater to help save money and energy.  Turning up the temperature of your refrigerator can also help save energy while you’re away.  If you plan to do this, be sure to remove highly perishable foods, like dairy products, produce and meat.  Other less perishable items, like condiments, will still remain edible with the refrigerator temperature set to “low.”

Burning Up Inside
Don’t let your home retain any more heat than necessary.  Appliances, electronic devices and lighting are all common sources of internal heat gain.  To combat this excess heat, avoid putting lamps or televisions near your air conditioner’s thermostat.  These heat-exuding appliances will cause the air conditioner to think the house is warmer than it really is.  This results in the system running longer than necessary and wasted energy.

Freezing Blues
Air conditioner freezing is a fairly common problem. In addition, the air conditioner drain line can freeze, back-up and cause a leak, which is often confused for a plumbing leak.  When this happens, immediately turn off your compressor by switching your thermostat over to fan.  As the ice starts to melt, make sure you have proper drainage and call a professional.  From dirty coils to poorly designed ductwork, there are many things that can restrict airflow.

Dark Is In
Keep heat out of your home by closing blinds, shades and draperies that cover windows facing the sun.  This means closing coverings on east-facing windows in the morning and closing coverings on west-facing windows in the afternoon.  Also, by installing shades or blinds that are white in color, you can reflect heat away from the house.  This will keep you cooler and save energy.

Put On Your Shades
Keep your outdoor air conditioning unit cooler by planting trees or shrubs that allow air to flow around unit.  By properly shading the area, your system can perform up to 10 percent more efficiently.  Also, be sure the landscaping isn’t too close to the unit, so a technician can service it easily when necessary.

Don’t Be Swindled
Unfortunately, some people take advantage of others during emergencies.  Always deal with a reputable professional company.  Ask if the company checks criminal records or drug tests its employees.  Heating and air conditioning companies must be licensed, and any replacement work must usually be permitted and inspected by the city or county.

(Servicing the Chattanooga area, Universal Heating and Air Conditioning specializes in air conditioning and heating, offering repair, replacement and maintenance. For more information visit www.universalservices1.com or call (423) 553-8110.)