Located conveniently close to Downtown Dallas, Lake Highlands is a vibrant town with stunning outdoors, modern amenities, and many recreational facilities. But given that it is a Texas town, living in Lake Highlands can feel like being stuck in an overheated dome. The summers are hotter than you will experience in most places, and the winters can be brutal, too. This is why air conditioning is a Lake Highlands homeowner’s best friend. But how do you go beyond mere air conditioning and get the best out of your unit? Here are four pointers to help you out.
Automate Your Thermostat
Many homes for sale in Lake Highlands have an installed thermostat, but this is not enough for Texas’s brutal weather. You need to go a step further and automate your home’s temperature control. With smart home technology now so prevalent, this means hiring a technician to install a smart home system in your home. You can then program your thermostat to lower and raise the ambient temperature in your home, depending on the temperature outside and your schedule. You can, for instance, set it to start warming up your home an hour before you get there and go off when you leave.
Set the Right Temperature
The temperature setting on your AC can affect your home’s ambient temperature and energy consumption. According to experts, the ides thermostat setting is 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer. Every degree above or below this setting increases energy consumption by 6 to 8 percent. It is even counterproductive to ignore these setting suggestions because setting your AC lower does not cool your home faster. It causes your unit to overwork.
Install Ceiling Fans
Fans are a must if you are to beat the Texas heat. By pushing down cool air, ceiling fans can lower the temperature in a room by about four degrees, allowing your AC to work optimally. However, this convention effect only works on the perceived temperature in a room and not the ambient temperature. This means that while you will feel cooler in a room with the fan on, the temperature is the same, so you do not need to turn on the fan if you are not in the room.
Clean and Maintain Your AC
Of course, it matters very little what temperature you set your thermostat to or how many fans you install in your home if your AC is not working optimally. This is why the fourth and most crucial thing you should do is clean and maintain your AC regularly. By simply replacing a clogged air filter in your unit, you can increase its efficiency by up to 15 percent. Vacuum the unit regularly to eliminate dust and debris, set the unit away from furniture and other heating appliances, and wash the outside coils often.
Explore Lake Highlands Homes for Sale with The BAR Group
The weather might be daunting to newcomers, but moving to Lake Highlands is a wise and exciting journey you will definitely enjoy. The Lake Highlands real estate market features a wide variety of homes, including contemporary homes, Tudor mansions, Ranch-style houses, and more. You can get one step closer to your new home by contacting the BAR Group today to talk to a realtor.