Seeing (and Saving) Green: AC Tips for The Month of March in Florida

Spring has arrived in full bloom here in Florida, and while temps might have made us think summer is already on its way, we still have a few more rounds of mild weather before the dreaded heat and humidity kick in. Because the weather is still fluctuating between "winter" (mild temps) and the hotter climate we are used to, it can be hard to know how to set your HVAC system. As usual, it's Ridge to the rescue! We have some tips for the month of March to help you save energy, save money, and stay cool. After all, the best place to see "green" during the month of March is in your own wallet!

Use your thermostat! Your thermostat is your best friend when it comes to keeping your home at an ideal temperature without wasting energy (and money). Many thermostats available in today's market offer a wide variety of programming options, especially those that are wifi enabled and work with your phone (or other device) remotely. These "smart thermostats" can even learn your habits, and will change the temperature of your home during the day based upon activity level, desired temp for the day/night, etc. This means your AC won't be running to keep your home at a steady 73 degrees while you're away at work all day and no one is around to enjoy the cool air but the cat. Instead, your thermostat can turn the AC up a bit while you're gone, but have your house cooled back down before you arrive.

Watch your windows. Yes, it's temping to use that milder (dare we say, cooler) air outside during the spring days, but if you aren't careful this could end up costing you more money rather than saving a few bucks. If you're going to use open windows as a method to cool the house on milder days, be sure to turn off your HVAC system first! Otherwise you're spending money to cool the air outside. Also note, if you want to leave windows open, pay attention to the sun. Keeping shades pulled to block direct sunlight (and resulting heat) will keep your home cooler, without having to use energy (and $$$). You can still enjoy the fresh air coming from outdoors, but a simple set of blinds or a thin curtain will offer some protection from those harsh rays.

Pay attention to AC maintenance. Just because the weather isn't steamy yet, doesn't mean you can sit back and ignore your AC unit. Hot weather is just around the corner, and failing to keep up with maintenance now could leave you with costly AC emergencies when you need the cool air most. What could be a simple and inexpensive fix taken care of during a maintenance check can turn into a catastrophic issue within a few months time, so keep up with regular maintenance, and if you suspect a problem with your unit, call now instead of waiting until you're stuck with no cool air in the middle of summer.

Ridge Energy Savers is proud to cover all your HVAC needs, from simple repairs and maintenance calls to full system purchase and installation options. Our experienced technicians work quickly and efficiently, and with our 24-hour emergency service, you never have to go without your AC system for very long. We serve the greater Polk County area, and we're ready and waiting to come to you. Give us a call!

Relax! Tips to Make Your Christmas Less About Stress, and More About Celebrating the Season

Christmas is meant to be a time for celebrating a season of love and peace, and enjoying time with your family and friends. It's when we step back, take notice of the things around us we care about most, and appreciate having them in our lives. Unfortunately though, while this is what the season should be, it isn't necessarily how modern day Americans practice it. Instead, Christmas has become a time of stress, where we try to replicate impressive gift-wrapping and party ideas we pull from Pinterest, spend more than we should on gifts (that aren't even necessary!) and run around pulling everything together up until the last minute. By the time Christmas day arrives, we are worn out, and simply wish to sit in the quiet alone with a hot chocolate and a movie, rather than investing time in the ones we hold dear. 

Ridge Energy Savers wants to do our part to remedy that this holiday season! It's no secret...self care means you can better care for those around you. We want to offer one lucky winner the chance to spend a full day at the spa on us! It's the perfect time to take a day of rest from the hustle and bustle of shopping, and simply soak in the season with a variety of spa treatments and attention focused solely on YOU. The giveaway for a $200 package from The Oasis Spa in Lake Wales ends on December 17th, so head over to our Facebook page here and enter while you have a chance!

Even if you aren't the lucky winner this year, there are still ways you can make the season less about stress and more about what matters. Try these tips to make the season special and stay relaxed at the same time: 

1. Condense your shopping list! Does your child's secondary substitute gym teacher really need an individually picked out, custom-wrapped gift? For teachers, coworkers, and other "groups" that you have to buy for, why not invest in a group gift? A platter of cookies from a local bakery, having breakfast delivered from a nearby eatery, or even a big bowl of candy with a card from your family could be a great way to spread holiday cheer without breaking the bank (or overloading your schedule).

2. Simplify your hosting. Having Christmas gatherings is what makes the Christmas season feel special, but if you have individual parties for your neighbors, your friends, your spouse's office staff, and your book club, you might feel overwhelmed and already wishing the season of partying was over, instead of looking forward to it with excitement.

3. Consider simplifying your hosting this year. Combine parties where possible (maybe your neighbors and friends could all gather for one big party...it might be a great time to introduce new faces and build networking!), and when not possible, opt for easy, but festive, party ideas. For example, trade out a full 3-course dinner party for the office staff for an evening of coffee, cocktails, and desserts. Instead of an hours-long party for your various clubs and groups of friends, hold an Open House where cider and finger foods can be served for several hours, and individuals are encouraged to stop by whenever convenient throughout that time period. This relieves some of the pressure of hosting, and can lighten up your load allowing you to enjoy the party more and worry less. 

4. Knock out your regular "to do" list early in the month. Taking care of household chores, and other necessary tasks that fall in a typical month, before the holiday season actually arrives is a huge stress relief for many. Taking care of monthly errands (dropping off payment for bills, taking the dog to the vet) and wrapping up tasks such as trimming up shrubs or changing out the AC filter, mean you can consider them done until Christmas is over, and you'll have less on your mind as the big day draws closer. 

Want to relieve even more stress this season? Take your HVAC maintenance off your plate completely! Ridge Energy Savers is proud to offer full service for systems of all kinds. Our package includes a full checkup of your system, in addition to details like changing out your filter. Our goal is to keep your system working at its best all year long. We worry about it, so you don't have to! 

Happy holidays from Ridge Energy Savers. Good luck to all who enter our "Spa-tacular" giveaway! 

Fall Is Here...Are You Ready?

While Florida residents know we have a few more weeks (or even months) before we feel the cooling effects of Fall, people are gearing up for seasonal changes starting now. Your AC will still be in use for weeks to come, but having your heat source(s) prepped now means you won't be left shivering or trying to air out your home from burning dust. Fortunately, Ridge Energy Savers offers both heating AND cooling services, so we have your temperature control covered no matter the weather outside. 

How can you prepare your home and heating system for the cooler months?

• Look for leaks! We aren't referring to fluid leaks (although, those are important to watch for too when it comes to your AC). Rather, we are talking about "air leaks" around windows, under doors, and around other entrances of your home, like pipes and vents. Any area not properly sealed is a way that cold can get in (and valuable heat can get out), thus making your system work much harder to remain at your desired temp. 

• Clean your vents. No one enjoys having a home that smells like burning dust when they turn on their heater. It's common for Florida heating systems to burn off a bit of dust at the beginning of each season since they aren't used frequently, or over a long span of time. However, thoroughly cleaning your vents, and having your duct work professionally cleaned, will lessen the amount of dust and grime buildup and will leave your air fresher and healthier when it's time to crank up the heat this winter. 

• Have your heating and cooling system evaluated. If your home is heated by furnace, you certainly need to make sure everything is in working order since a faulty gas furnace could result in dangerous fumes being leaked into your home. No matter what type of system you have, making sure it's working efficiently and that all parts are functioning properly is key in keeping your home comfortable and staying on budget with your energy costs. 

No matter the season, you can always call on Ridge to come to the rescue! We serve the greater Polk County area with only the best in AC, heating, and refrigeration services, so you know you can trust us to help you keep your cool (or stay warm) all year long. Our maintenance packages give you the option of having a "checkup" for your system on a routine basis, so you're never caught off guard with an unexpected repair, or worse, without your AC or heat when you need it. Give us a call and see what we can do for you! 

Are You REALLY Making the Most of Your AC? Tips for Amping Up the Efficiency of Your HVAC System

When it comes to AC in Polk County, most of us rank it as one of the utilities necessary for life, right up there with water and electricity. Unfortunately, it's not always the cheapest utility, and it contributes to a huge portion of monthly energy usage for many homeowners. Because of that, AC companies are continually seeking out ways to make units run more efficiently while getting maximum impact, but the AC unit itself can't be the sole factor held responsible for energy usage and temperature control. Having your home setup to aid in efficiency for your HVAC system means your home will stay at a more consistent comfortable temperature, and you'll be saving money at the same time. How can you make this happen in your home? 

• Leave those doors open! An "open door" policy for the interior doors of your home promotes air flow, and that means all rooms are cooled equally and your system won't have to work as hard. 
• Trap that cool air! Precious cool air can escape through the tiniest spaces, so making sure you've properly sealed around  doors, windows, vents, etc. is key in making the most of the energy used by your HVAC system. Caulking, insulating strips, and other forms of sealant are inexpensive but will save you a surprising amount of cash on your energy bill each month. 
• Take a second look at your windows. If you have an older home, or if the windows are a low-grade, single-paned option, they could be contributing to excess usage of your AC (and therefore costing you significant income on electricity). Double-paned, insulted windows might cost a little more up front, but they last for many years, and the savings on your energy bills can sometimes (almost) pay for them over time. 
• Opt for a smart thermostat. Thermostats have come a long way in recent years, and with the new "smart" options that connect to your wifi, and your devices, you can maximize usage of your HVAC system all day, every day. Set your unit to turn up during the hottest parts of the day, but back off at night when the temperatures fall naturally. Program your unit to respond to the hours when you and your family are home vs. when you area away at work and school. An empty home doesn't care if it's a few degrees warmer than normal. Additionally, you can control your system when you're away from your house, so if you find out the temps have dropped around your home, but you're out of town, you can drop the system back and your unit won't be needlessly running for hours each day. 

Ridge Energy Savers is here to help our Polk County friends and neighbors make the most of their AC systems, and to help them stay cool all year long. When HVAC systems go on the fritz, that's when we come to the rescue! From AC repair and diagnostics, to full system replacements, we take care of any sized job. Give us a call!