MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – As we head towards summer and people get ready to install or turn on their air conditioners, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to maintenance and energy usage.
Most home cooling units use a condenser coil, that’s the part of your AC that sit outside of your home and releases the heat it’s absorbed from the inside. With spring and summer allergies in the air, heating and cooling technician with Swick, Mark Wanty, says it’s important to clean filters monthly to reduce those allergies, especially for those with asthma.
“With the fan on top, air is actually being pulled into the sides, so anything that’s been floating around in the air is just going to be pulled right on to that condenser coil.” Wanty explained, “If you have pets or if you have multiple people in the home, you have a lot more dander and dirt in the air than somebody that is single and lives alone with no pets, so that person may be able to change their filter less often.”
When it comes time to turn on the AC, many worry about the rise in the cost of their utilities. Matthew Zavislak is the Manager of Administrative Services with The Marquette Board of Light and Power. He says that controlling the temperature while out of the house can help lower your power usage during the summer.
“Using energy efficiently is always a concern,” Zavislak says, “we like to make sure people know what they are using and how that’s going to impact them on their bill.”
To help their costumers keep track of their costs and power usage, the board of light and power uses an app called Smart Hub.
“You can go on there and check how much they is actually going to impact you as far as usage and your bill is concerned,” Zavislak explained, “we just don’t want any surprises for anyone”
The Board of Light and Power says its about using energy efficiently to keep costs down in the summer. The Smart Hub app is a customer portal for those who manage their power through The Board. Available online through your web browser and the Google Play and Apple App stores, the Smart Hub helps you manage your account, see your power usage, and pay your bills. You can find more information about the app here: https://mblp.org/smarthub
