When the heat and humidity tick up and it becomes unbearable outside all we want to do is turn down that thermostat temperature and chill out on the couch with a cool beverage.

However, life doesn’t stop in the summer and we all have things to do.  Additionally, cranking the AC uses a lot of energy and can make those electric bills scary, not to mention wearing down your system faster.

There are several things you can do to keep cool and keep the AC running while keeping those bills low.

Give Yourself a Break

  • Avoid strenuous outdoor work when it’s really hot.
  • Take plenty of breaks in the shade if you do have to work in the heat.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  • Wear light colored clothing.

Give Your AC a Break

  • At night, turn up the AC or turn it off and open the windows (f possible.)
  • During the day, close the shades and blinds to keep the sun from heating up the house.
  • Don’t use appliances that generate heat (i.e. oven, dryer, etc.) during the day.
  • Turn up the AC and go see a movie, use the AC in the theater (or go to the library or mall!)
  • Go to the pool to cool off.
  • Use fans to help move the cool air around your home.

Watch Your Temp

Every degree above 78° that you set our thermostat will save you money.  The higher you keep the temp when you are not home will save you money.  In fact, it could save you around 8% a year, which can be significant!

Additional Tips

  • Schedule AC maintenance yearly.
  • Change the filter once a month.
  • Call a technician if you notice any issues with your system.

Keep cool this summer, but if you have any issues with your system we are here to help.  We have emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Don’t get overheated, call us for a quick repair.

If you have not had an annual AC service visit, schedule one now, it’s not too late.  We also offer a special deal when you schedule your AC service with your furnace service.

Finally, we have a lot of super savings, new customers get 10% off and current customers can find a special that fits their needs too.

Let us know how we can help, we are here when you need us.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller

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