How Cold Can You Set Your AC?

Summer is already around the corner, and homeowners are busy dusting their air conditioners off for a busy season. Many homeowners are interested in getting maximum air conditioning from their units as they expect higher outdoor temperatures than in other summer seasons due to the changing climatic conditions around the world.

How Much Cooling Can Your AC Handle

AC settings are personal preferences, and what may be comfortable for you may be too cold for the next person. For instance, the Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home to help reduce energy consumption. But there will be days when even 78 seems like it’s not enough, so how low can you go without damaging your AC unit?

Understand the Working of an AC Unit

To answer this question, you must understand how an AC unit works. The air conditioner has three main and essential components. The compressor is the most crucial part of the AC. It compresses the refrigerant gas and passes it to the condenser.

The condenser is a large coil that is placed outside the house. The function of this coil is to release the heat that was absorbed by the refrigerant inside the compressor. Finally, the evaporator is placed inside the house. It is a coil that absorbs the heat from the indoor air and transfers it to the refrigerant.

The above three processes are responsible for cooling your room. Now let’s see how lowering the temperature can affect these processes.

How Lowing the Temperature Can Affect Your AC Unit

Lowering your AC temperature below 70 degrees can put a strain on the compressor. The compressor is designed to work best at temperatures above 70 degrees. When you lower the temperature, the compressor must work harder to compress the refrigerant gas. This can cause the compressor to overheat and break down eventually.

The evaporator also works best at temperatures above 70 degrees. When you lower the temperature, the evaporator has to work harder to absorb the heat from the indoor air. This can cause the evaporator to frost over. If this happens, it will reduce the airflow and make your AC unit less effective.

The condenser also works best at temperatures above 70 degrees. When you lower the temperature, the condenser has to work harder to release the heat from the refrigerant. This can cause the condenser to overheat and break down eventually.

What Is the Ideal Temperature for Your AC Unit?

The ideal temperature for your AC unit is between 70 and 80 degrees. However, setting the temperature lower than this can strain the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. So, if you want your AC unit to last longer, it is best to keep the temperature between 70 and 80 degrees.

Bottom line

Straining your air conditioner by setting the temperature too low can cause damage to the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. These parts are designed to work best at temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. So, if you want your AC unit to last longer, it is best to keep the temperature between 70 and 80 degrees. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for all your HVAC needs.

Tips for Cooling Down a Hot Room

Room cooling during the summer can be a challenge, but some tips and tricks can help. By following a few simple steps, you can cool down your room and enjoy a comfortable temperature all summer long. Here are some tips on how to cool a room.

1. Use Fans to Circulate the Air

This simple tip can make a big difference in cooling down a hot room. By circulating the air, fans help to even out the temperature and make the room feel more comfortable. In addition, fans can help reduce the level of humidity in the air, making a room feel cooler. Of course, fans cannot lower the air temperature, but they can make a hot room feel much more bearable. As an added bonus, fans are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them an ideal solution for beating the heat.

2. Let in the Cool Air

During the cooler hours of the day, open up the windows and doors to let in the refreshing air. This will help lower the room’s temperature and make it more comfortable. Just be sure to close the windows and doors when the temperature outside starts to rise again; otherwise, you’ll just be letting in more hot air.

3. Use Ice and Cold Water

Another great way to cool down a room is to use ice and cold water. Fill up a large bowl with ice and place it in front of a fan. The air from the fan will circulate over the ice and help cool down the room. You can also fill up a spray bottle with cold water and mist the room lightly. This will help lower the room’s temperature and make it more comfortable.

4. Use Curtains or Blinds

If you have windows in your room, another great tip is to use curtains or blinds. By keeping the sunlight out, you can help to reduce the amount of heat that enters the room. In addition, if you have insulated curtains or blinds, they can also help keep the room cooler by trapping in the cool air.

5. Turn Off Electronics

During the summer, it’s best to turn off any electronics that emit heat. This includes things like computers, TVs, and even lamps. These devices can add a significant amount of heat to a room, so it’s best to turn them off when you’re trying to cool down the room. Also, be sure to unplug any appliances you’re not using, as they can also add to the heat in a room.

6. Use a Dehumidifier

If the room feels especially humid, it’s good to use a dehumidifier. By removing the excess moisture from the air, a dehumidifier can help to make a room feel cooler and more comfortable. Make sure to empty the dehumidifier regularly, as the collected water can start to add to the humidity level if it’s not emptied frequently.

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can easily cool down a room and enjoy a comfortable temperature all summer long. Fans, ice, cold water, and curtains are all great ways to lower the temperature of a room. If you need a more powerful solution, visit Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We offer room cooling solutions that will keep your room cool and comfortable all summer long. Give us a call today to learn more.

The Real Use for Ceiling Fans

Summer is here, and that means you may be retreating indoors to enjoy the comfort of central air. But the downside to every HVAC system is that the air inside the home is likely to become stuffy and stale.

Did you know that there’s a simple way to improve air quality inside the home? The fact is that ceiling fans improve air circulation, which can help you breathe better and get better sleep.

Using ceiling fans for air circulation

Many people believe that ceiling fans are designed to cool down a room. They can have that effect, but their true purpose is to improve air circulation in whichever room they’re used in. This creates the illusion that the room is actually a few degrees cooler.

Ceiling fans work by creating a breeze that removes moisture from your skin—it’s that artificial breeze that creates a cooling sensation. Hot air and heat have nowhere to go once they reach the ceiling, so running ceiling fans counterclockwise during the summer can help with heat management.

Then in the winter, you can reverse the blades to mix and distribute the cold air at the bottom of the room with the hot air that rises to the top of the room. Consequently, you can save money on your cooling costs in the summer and on your heating costs in the winter by using ceiling fans.

Other fans

Ceiling fans improve air circulation, which can have health benefits and save energy. But let’s say you don’t have ceiling fans installed in your home—you can still reap the benefits of air circulation through the use of other fans. Here are some of the most common:

Do you want to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter? At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we provide a full range of heating and cooling services to meet any need your home’s energy-efficient system may have, from furnace maintenance to AC repair. Our dedicated team has the experience and know-how to get the job done right. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and get a free quote!

At What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat During the Summer?

Summer is in full swing, and you probably have your air conditioner running at all hours. But many people wonder: What’s the perfect summer thermostat setting?

Read on to find out our leading tips on keeping your home cool and comfortable while saving money on energy bills.

Stay close to the outdoor temperature

When the temperatures soar outside, you may have the urge to crank the AC even higher. But you shouldn’t need a sweatshirt to be comfortable in your home.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners leave the AC at 78 degrees when you’re at home during the summer. The closer the indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature means less energy is necessary to keep your home cool, which in turn leads to lower energy expenses.

When you go away

Everyone loves to take trips during the summer, whether it’s to visit family or to go to the beach. But at what temperature should you leave the thermostat when you’re out of town? While you might think that you can turn off the system entirely, it’s not a smart idea. This can affect pets and plants living in your home, along with causing other issues. But you can leave the temperature higher than you normally would—up to 83 degrees—which can save you money on your energy bill.

How to adjust the AC unit temperature

It’s important to remember that adjusting the temperature on the AC unit does not affect the temperature of the air being pumped into your home. Instead, it changes the duration of time that the AC unit runs, with cooler temperatures requiring more time.

So don’t set the temperature on the AC very low in the hopes that your home will cool down faster, as this will not work and could cause unnecessary strain on the unit. That said, it’s perfectly fine to make adjustments throughout the day based on your comfort.

Setting the thermostat at night

Most people prefer to keep the AC higher at night, as it creates more comfortable conditions for sleeping. Experts say that bedrooms should be between 60 and 67 degrees for sleeping.

However, that’s likely quite a jump from where the thermostat is set during the day. First, lower it by a couple of degrees from where you usually keep it during the day, and see how that works. You can also use ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and temperature-regulating pillows and mattresses to help stay cool at night.

Now it’s time to get that perfect summer thermostat setting. The next time you need help with air conditioning or heating, turn to the expert pros at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. Our dedicated team has been providing residential and commercial services since 1999.

We specialize in the installation of new equipment, heating and cooling repair and furnace cleaning. We also offer emergency services, meaning we’re available to help you 24 hours a day! Give us a call right now to find out how we can help you.

How to Choose the Best AC Unit for Your Home

Just because it’s the winter doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to think about AC installation. Installing AC systems during the winter in St. Louis, MO is a great way to avoid the high rates and difficult scheduling that can come up during summertime. If you’re thinking about investing in AC installation, it’s important to think carefully about the kind of system you want for your home. Keep reading for a guide to choosing the best AC for your home.

A guide to choosing the best AC for your home in St. Louis, MO

There are lots of different types of AC units that homeowners can choose from. Understanding more about some of these different AC options can help them decide which unit is best for their needs. Here is a guide to choosing the best AC for your home in St. Louis, MO, with details about all of the most common types of AC units:

Professional AC installation

If you’re interested in installing a new AC system after reading this guide to choosing the best AC for your home in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. With over 20 years of experience providing residential and commercial HVAC services, our team has the expertise necessary to assist with any HVAC project. No matter what your needs may be, our team is here to help. Give us a call to find out more about the services we have to offer and to get started with a consultation!