Phoenix business owners typically see temperatures in the 90s and 100s during the summer, making it crucial to maintain a cool and comfortable environment for employees and clients. It can also be important for safety purposes. Blasting the air conditioning can seem tempting until you realize how much it could cause your energy bills to skyrocket and its negative effects on the environment. There are many ways you can stay cool and conserve energy at the same time with as little impact as possible on your utility costs.
Schedule a Spring Tune-Up
A spring tune-up is one of the most important steps to prepare your Phoenix business for the hot summer ahead. Our HVAC technicians can perform a full inspection of your system and look for any issues that could worsen and lead to air conditioning problems in the future. It’s much better to catch these issues early and fix them rather than deal with an air conditioning malfunction or complete breakdown during the hottest months of the year in Phoenix.
We’ll do a variety of tasks during a spring tune-up appointment, including changing your air filter, inspecting components, checking the electrical wiring, and removing any loose debris. Make sure to ask us about our preventative maintenance contracts, which help keep the cool air running efficiently through your business.
There’s no way to know when the hot weather will arrive in the area. Schedule your appointment in early-to-mid spring so you have time to make any necessary repairs and with as little disruption to your daily operations as possible.
Change the HVAC Filters Often
We recommend changing your HVAC filters every few months, but it could be beneficial for you to do it every month, especially if you want to maintain excellent air quality and efficient cooling in your business. Changing the filter is simple, but we can also handle it for you, depending on your preferences. It’s a good idea to keep a bulk amount of the filters on hand that are compatible with your unit, so it’s easy to swap them out when you want to.
Install Window Tinting
As much as you might want a full amount of natural light streaming through your windows during a beautiful sunny day in the city, it could also increase the temperatures within your commercial space. This may cause you to run your air conditioner longer and continuously increase your utility bills throughout the summer.
Installing temporary window tinting can allow some natural light to flow through your space but reduce its intensity so you can conserve your air conditioning usage. It’s also a great option if you’re open during peak sun hours in the middle of the afternoon This is especially true if you offer seating by the windows but don’t want your customers blinded by direct sunshine.
Keep in mind that proper installation is crucial and needs to be done by experts who have experience in the task. Improperly installing the window tint and using low-quality methods and products could result in you damaging the glass permanently. An expert can help you choose which product is ideal for your business to conserve energy and create a comfortable space for your employees and clients.
Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are particularly effective during peak usage season in the summer but can benefit your business year-round. Installing them is one of the best ways to stay cool while also allowing you to lower your utility bills significantly. It’s also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and may help you qualify for tax incentives and rebates. There’s the initial installation cost, but it can pay off in the long run with the amount of money you could potentially save.
Have Employees Work Remotely
It’s not possible for every business to allow employees to work remotely, but it could be an effective way to cut down on energy usage during the summer. It can also be a fantastic way to boost morale and give your team a little more time to enjoy the beautiful weather and all the activities in the area during the season. If remote work isn’t a viable option on a daily basis, consider allowing it at least one day a week, such as on a Friday or Monday. Even cutting down on air conditioning usage by one extra day could lead to significant noticeable savings on your summer utility bills.
Change Business Hours
Some businesses that get the full strength of the sun during the summer may want to consider adjusting their business hours so they’re open during the coolest parts of the day. This obviously isn’t an ideal tactic for every business, but some establishments may want to shift their hours from being open during the morning and afternoon to the late afternoon and evening. Similar to remote work, it’s not necessarily something you need to do on a daily basis. Even changing the hours one or two days a week could make a dramatic impact by helping you save energy by reducing air conditioning usage.
Install and Properly Maintain Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help cool off your space and allow you to cut down on air conditioning. They’re typically much more energy efficient than using your AC, which can help reduce your monthly utility bills. During the warmest temperatures, the ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise to allow cool air to flow downward.
As effective as they are, ceiling fans can also be dust magnets, which isn’t ideal for businesses that want and need to maintain a clean, sanitary environment. Wipe down the ceiling fan blades regularly to prevent dust buildup. Avoid pulling on the blades in the process, as this could damage the fan or even loosen it, creating a serious safety risk. We recommend a professional ceiling fan inspection at least twice a year to ensure they’re operating correctly.
What Can I Do for My HVAC System?
The best thing you can do for your HVAC system during Phoenix summers is to pay attention to how it’s operating. If you notice any signs of potential trouble, such as strange noises, smells, or sounds, it’s important to contact us immediately and schedule an appointment. Delaying the inspection could allow the problems to worsen in the meantime. You also want to make sure to take care of any necessary repairs sooner rather than later.
Your business can’t be without proper air conditioning during the summer, so while your unit continues to run, it’s continuously putting strain on the system. Taking action at the first sign of trouble can prevent expensive repairs, disruptions to your business, and unnecessary stress. Be sure to check out our preventative maintenance plan.
Help your employees and clients stay cool during a hot summer while doing your part for the environment. Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating, a family-owned and -operated company in Phoenix, offers air conditioning repairs, installations, maintenance, and other services to help keep your establishment safe and comfortable. Standard appointments and same-day commercial HVAC services are available.
