Summer Nights: Staying Cool When the Temperatures Don't

Summer nights bring all kinds of things to mind, like evenings spent on porches with friends, catching fireflies, enjoying homemade ice cream, and, if you’re here in Central Florida…extra-large mosquitoes and spending bedtime uncomfortable, sweaty, and sticky.  Sounds great, right?

While we are kidding (partially) about the joys of summer nights in Florida, the reality is that without your AC unit, nights would be pretty miserable.  If your AC has gone out at nighttime before, and you’ve had to endure the night without its help, you probably have some pretty unpleasant memories of tossing and turning trying to find a cool, comfortable spot on the bed but none was to be found.  While nothing replaces the comfort of an AC system during the heat here in Florida, there are ways you can manage when the temperatures soar inside AND outside your home.

• Bring in reinforcements.  Hot water bottles make great ice packs to keep yourself cool in bed.  Opt to place them near your feet, or at pulse points, to get maximum benefit.  A sock filled with rice and chilled in the freezer for an hour or two also makes a great ice pack in a pinch.
• Head to bed prepared.  Taking a shower right before bed using tepid water is a great way to lower your core body temperature.  Sleep in lightweight, breathable cotton clothing like shorts and a loose t-shirt to wick away moisture and enjoy airflow.
• Make the most of your fan.  If you have a fan (or two) you can help it reach maximum cooling power by placing it in front of an open window to pump hot air out of the room and help bring down the temp.  Another tip?  Hang a wet sheet over an open window to help cool airflow coming through, or place a pan of ice in front of your fan to blow a cool mist over you while you try to fall asleep.

The best way to survive summer nights?  Don’t go without your AC in the first place! Ridge Energy Savers Inc. offers emergency services, so as long as you give us a call, you’ll be enjoying your cool air again in no time.  Don’t sit around waiting in the heat for a standard repair service.  Call us next time you’re in need, and let Ridge come to the rescue!

Tips for AC Care Year Round

Because of our extreme temperatures and constant need for cooling our homes, we continually discuss how important routine maintenance and prompt repair are for your AC system here at Ridge Energy. While we are proud to provide these services for the greater Polk County area, we can’t keep your AC running at its best on our own. You have to invest some of your own time and energy into keeping your system functioning, and while it’s not hard to do, it is hard to remember to put on your to-do list when life gets crazy.

We thought you might appreciate this handy reminder list of things to do for your AC all year long. Copy it and print it out, stick it in your planner or on your fridge, and make it easy to remember to care for your AC this summer!

1. Change your air filter often. Preferably, you should change your filter every month. While some filters boast of a 3 month or more lifespan, it’s actually healthier for you AND for your AC system if you opt for the cheaper filters and just take the time to change them each month. This helps keep your air cleaner, and your AC functioning better.
2. Clear any debris and/or yard growth away from your outdoor AC unit. Overgrowth can lead to issues with your unit. When you are already outside mowing your lawn, go ahead and take a few extra minutes to trim around your AC unit. Grass, weeds, and shrubs can crowd in on your AC, and that can lead to problems over time. Dust off any cobwebs or debris that might have fallen on it since the last cleaning too!
3. Clean the indoor grates. The metal grate that covers your AC filter, and the grates that cover the ductwork leading into each room, are a gathering place for dust and dirt. Periodically dust them, and if they are easily removed, take them outside and hose them down. This will improve the air quality throughout your home!

Of course, these simple routine tips aren’t all your AC needs to be functioning at its highest capacity. HVAC systems need annual inspections of their various parts and a thorough internal cleaning as well. Ridge Energy Savers can take care of that for you! If your AC unit is on the fritz, don’t suffer in the heat! We provide emergency AC repair services to the greater Winter Haven area of Central Florida. We’ll make sure you keep your cool, so give us a call!

Maintenance 101: What to Expect at Your AC Maintenance Visit

Ridge Energy Savers is proud to offer emergency HVAC services to both residential and business locations throughout the Polk County area here in Central Florida.  However, an equally important part of our business is routine maintenance of AC systems, yet many homeowners (and business owners) don’t understand the importance of this service. Annual maintenance on your HVAC system not only keeps things operating at their best, but it also helps with recognizing any potential problems before they become serious, meaning you can get them fixed quickly before they ever affect your cool air in your home, or the function of your AC.

So, what can you expect when you call us for a routine maintenance inspection?

Our preventative maintenance checklist covers:

• Check electrical connections and safety controls.
• Check voltage and amperage on compressor and motor.
• Check all motors, oil, and adjust v-belts as needed.
• Check starting and running components.
• Calibrate thermostat and low voltage wiring.
• Check defrost cycle and reversing valve operation.
• Lubricate all moving parts where necessary.
• Clean condenser coil.
• Check and clean condensate drains.
• Clean blower wheel.
• Add Anti-Algae tablets to condensate pan.
• Check refrigerant level.
• Check air flow and tempature.
• Supply a written report of systems current condition upon completion of maintenance.

We will also address any questions or concerns you may personally have at these visits, and do our best to explain what you need to know.  If any issues are found during our inspection, we can make suggestions about the next step to take, and how we can help.

We really are your one-stop for all your HVAC needs, and our goal is to offer the top-quality in not only products, but also in customer service.  Call us today to schedule your preventative maintenance inspection on your AC before the summer temperatures soar. No one wants to be left without respite from the Florida heat, and we can make sure you won’t be.  Ridge Energy Savers is ready to help you keep your cool this summer!

High And Dry: How to Keep Humidity Levels Down in Your Florida Home

Here in Central Florida, humidity is joked about, complained about, and pretty much one of our primary characterization factors as a whole.  Our almost tropical climate lends itself to high levels of moisture in the air through much of the year, especially in the spring and summer months, and that can lead to a miserable existence, especially if you don’t know how to properly manage humidity levels inside your home.  Keeping the moisture down inside your house is important since high humidity in your home can lead to many issues, including:

• mold and mildew
• water (moisture) damage
• dust mites (they thrive on humidity)
• difficulty managing the temperature inside your home

Reducing humidity in your house means you will not only be more comfortable, but you will mitigate many of these risks.  With a few simple measures you can help maintain the proper moisture level in your home, and lower the humidity.  How?

First, ventilate, ventilate, ventilate.  Ever gone camping?  Even in mild temperatures, the temp inside a tent can rise quickly if you have the windows shut, and you’ll notice moisture developing inside the tent walls.  By opening the windows, you release the water vapor being released by your own breathing, and you’ll notice that the temperature not only seems much cooler inside, but drier as well!  The same concept applies to your house.  Moisture will accumulate inside if you don’t have proper ventilation, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and even laundry rooms. Use vent fans whenever possible, and in bathrooms, leave them running for a period of time after taking a shower to help remove moisture remaining in the air.  Don’t have vent fans?  Crack windows near the area to let moisture out, and consider placing a regular fan in the path of the doorway to pump air (and water vapor) out.
Also, avoid adding to the humidity in your home when possible.  For example, instead of a long, hot shower, aim for a short, cooler shower instead.  Instead of using your dishwasher for a small load, hand wash your dishes instead to avoid the humidity released as the washer runs.  Even small decisions such as these can have a big impact! Also reduce the number of houseplants in your home, or opt for plants that pull their water from the air around them.  ALL plants release water into the air, but some are better than others for keeping the humidity down in your home.  Another fun tip?  Send your kids out to play!  Each person emits approximately 1/4 cup of water each hour simply by breathing.  Fewer people in the house means less moisture in the air!

Finally, consider investing in a dehumidifier if lesser measures fail to give you the results you want.  Investing in this piece of equipment will save you money in the long run if your moisture levels are causing mold, mildew, and rot issues in your home.  The cost of repairs and renovations that this could lead to are much higher than what a small dehumidifier for your bathroom or basement will be.

Another important piece of equipment for managing the temperature and humidity levels in your home?  Your HVAC system. Maintaining the indoor temperature relative to the outside temperature is vital in keeping humidity levels where they should be.  Your air conditioner and/or heater play a huge role in this process.  Failure to maintain them and letting them falter will not only mean a VERY uncomfortable environment for you, but will also cause moisture issues like those we mentioned above.  Prevent this from happening by scheduling routine maintenance of your HVAC system.  For residents in and around the Polk County area, Ridge Energy Savers is here for you!  We offer emergency repair services, as well as maintenance and cleaning on HVAC systems. Schedule your appointment today before our Florida summer temperatures arrive!