Beat the Heat
7 Summer AC Tips Every Santa Fe Homeowner Should Know
7 Expert Tips
...to keep you cool!
Summer in northern New Mexico isn’t just about clear skies and stunning sunsets—it also means soaring temps and homes working overtime to stay cool. Whether you’re in Santa Fe, White Rock, or Española, your AC system becomes your best friend (until it doesn’t).
Want to stay cool without overworking your system—or your wallet? At Santa Fe Heating and Cooling, we’re all about helping homeowners stay comfortable while extending the life of their AC. Here are 7 essential tips to help your cooling system run at its best all summer long.
Call us if you need help with heating and cooling in Santa Fe!
1. Change Your Air Filter—Seriously
It’s easy to forget, but this one tip can make or break your comfort. A dirty filter restricts airflow, forces your AC to work harder, and leads to everything from frozen coils to higher energy bills.
Pro Tip: Change your filter every 30–90 days, depending on dust, pets, and usage. If it looks gray or clogged—don’t wait. Change it today.
2. Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear
Your outdoor condenser unit needs breathing room. Debris like leaves, grass, and weeds can block airflow and reduce efficiency.
Do this once a month:
- Clear at least 2 feet of space around the unit
- Gently rinse the fins with a garden hose (no pressure washers!)
- Make sure it’s level to prevent damage
3. Use Ceiling Fans Wisely
Ceiling fans don’t cool the air—but they help circulate it, making rooms feel cooler. This allows you to raise the thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort.
Set fans to rotate counterclockwise in summer for a cool breeze effect.
4. Don’t Crank It—Set It
Your AC works best when it’s steady, not when it’s forced to play catch-up. Setting your thermostat to a reasonable, consistent temperature (we recommend 75–78°F during the day) saves wear and tear. On another note – we also offer furnace repair in Santa Fe, NM to keep you warm.
Avoid this mistake!
Dropping your thermostat to 65°F doesn’t cool the house faster—it just makes the system run longer and work harder. By running your unit this way, you’ll minimize the likelihood of an expensive ac repair in Santa Fe NM.
5. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate
Cool air can slip out of your home through gaps in doors, windows, and uninsulated attics. That means your AC is cooling the outdoors—and you’re paying for it.
What to check:
- Weather stripping around doors
- Caulking on windows
- Insulation in attics and crawl spaces
We can also perform a quick system audit during a routine service call to spot efficiency killers. And if you decide you want a new unit, we offer air conditioning installation, too!
6. Schedule a Summer Tune-Up
Annual maintenance is like an oil change for your HVAC system—it keeps it running smoothly and prevents surprise breakdowns when you need it most.
Included in our summer tune-ups:
- Coil cleaning
- Refrigerant level checks
- Electrical inspection
- Thermostat calibration
- Airflow testing
It’s quick, affordable, and often pays for itself in energy savings.
7. Upgrade Your Thermostat for Smarter Cooling
Still using a manual thermostat? A programmable or smart thermostat helps reduce energy use while keeping your home comfortable.
Benefits:
- Automatically adjusts settings when you’re away
- Can be controlled via phone or tablet
- Provides insights into usage patterns
- We can help you install one and show you how to get the most from it.
Bonus: Is Your AC the Right Size for Your Home?
Bigger isn’t always better. An oversized unit cools too quickly and shuts off before removing enough humidity. A unit that’s too small runs constantly and never quite gets the job done.
If your AC struggles to keep up, it might not be sized correctly—or it may be time for an upgrade. Our techs can evaluate your system and provide honest, no-pressure recommendations.
Don’t Sweat the Summer—Call the Pros
At Santa Fe Heating and Cooling, LLC, we’re more than a service company—we’re your neighbors. Whether you need a quick repair, routine maintenance, or advice on improving home comfort, we’re here to help.
Stay cool, stay safe—and let us handle the heat.
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