[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":37},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fBfA8_1lXS2-tqdzRk03zbT0A7it71QLBKfrSoCJ2mbI":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":14},{"category":5,"date":6,"html":7,"image":8,"readingMinutes":9,"slug":10,"sourceUrl":11,"summary":12,"title":13},"Cooling","2019-05-30","\u003Cp>You’d like to save money on your air conditioning bill this summer, right? But you’re not all that interested in setting your thermostat on “swelter.” And unless you’re trying to shed some pounds to wrestle a lighter weight class in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.olympic.org\u002Ftokyo-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">Tokyo next year\u003C\u002Fa>, it seems silly to \u003Cem>have \u003C\u002Fem>AC and not \u003Cem>use \u003C\u002Fem>it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>As Santa Fe’s best HVAC pros, we believe you deserve to feel comfortable in your own home. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Here are some tips for staying cool—without sweating over your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Turn it up.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>It’s absolutely not necessary to crank your thermostat to 89\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>°\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F, but if your kids are walking around in hoodies and you find yourself looking for a blanket while you’re binging Netflix, you’re wasting energy—and money. By adjusting your thermostat northward, your AC unit will run less frequently. Try bumping up the temp every three or four days by one degree, and see how high you can go before you get complaints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Turn if off.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>OK, don’t turn off your system completely, but make sure it gets plenty of rest when no one’s home. In other words, \u003Cem>program your thermostat. \u003C\u002Fem>(If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it’s worth picking one up, and we’re happy to help you make the best choice for your needs.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>Check out these tips for the best way to set your thermostat in the summer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>When you’re home, set the thermostat at 78\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>If you’ll be away from home for four or more hours, increase the temp to 88\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F, starting 30 minutes before you leave. \u003Cem>Note: If you have pets, set the temperature no higher than 82\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>F.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>Decrease the temperature back to 78\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F 30 minutes before you arrive home.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>Increase the temperature by a few degrees 60 minutes before you go to bed.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>Decrease the temperature to 78\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F 30 minutes before you get up.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch3>Close doors.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Just as there’s no reason to cool an empty house, there’s no reason to cool empty rooms. Close vents in any rooms you’re not using, and close the doors to those rooms so your AC has less square footage to deal with. While you’re at it, close any blinds and curtains on windows that get direct sunlight. No sense making your AC battle a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.azlyrics.com\u002Flyrics\u002Ftheymightbegiants\u002Fwhydoesthesunshine.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">gigantic nuclear furnace\u003C\u002Fa> all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Use fans.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>When we feel hot, we crank the AC. When we’re comfortable, we turn it back down. The key word here is \u003Cem>feel; \u003C\u002Fem>if we \u003Cem>perceive \u003C\u002Fem>the air to be cooler, we’ll use our AC less. By using fans—stand or ceiling—the air around us will feel cooler—simply because it’s moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Don’t get impatient.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>If you’ve been outside all day, and you come inside to only a sorta-kinda cool house, you’ll be tempted to fling your thermostat all the way down to 54\u003Cstrong>\u003Csup>o\u003C\u002Fsup>\u003C\u002Fstrong>F. We hate to break it to you, but that’s not going to make you more comfortable any faster than if you just took it down by a degree or two. What’s likely to happen, though, is you’ll forget about your “minor” adjustment—until you wake up in the middle of the night shivering. This is the exact \u003Cem>opposite \u003C\u002Fem>of using your air conditioning less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Help your AC help you.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Listen, your AC unit works hard to keep you comfortable. Help it work \u003Cem>less \u003C\u002Fem>hard by taking good care of it: change your filter and clean the condenser. Also, try to avoid heating up the house: air dry your clothes and opt for the grill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Get some expert help.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>If your AC seems to run more than it should, have us out to take a look! We’re known for our \u003Ca href=\"\u002Freviews\">excellent customer service\u003C\u002Fa>, and one of our friendly, expert techs will make sure your AC’s working at peak condition. \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcontact\">Give us a call to get started\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u002Fimg\u002Fblog\u002Fstay-cool-save-money-how-to-use-your-ac-less-this-summer.webp",3,"stay-cool-save-money-how-to-use-your-ac-less-this-summer","","You’d like to save money on your air conditioning bill this summer, right? But you’re not all that interested in setting your thermostat on “swelter.” And unless you’re trying to shed some pounds to wrestle a…","Stay Cool, Save Money: How to Use Your AC Less This Summer",[15,23,30],{"category":5,"date":16,"html":17,"image":18,"readingMinutes":19,"slug":20,"sourceUrl":11,"summary":21,"title":22},"2025-06-14","\u003Cp>As summer temperatures rise in Santa Fe, your air conditioner works hard to keep your home comfortable. But running it nonstop can lead to high energy bills and unnecessary wear on your system. At James' Plumbing & Heating, we want to help you stay cool—without overworking your AC. Here are our top tips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>1. \u003Cstrong>Use Ceiling Fans Wisely\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Fans don’t cool the air, but they circulate it to help your body feel cooler. Set them to spin counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>2. \u003Cstrong>Block Out the Sun\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Keep blinds or curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day, especially on south- and west-facing windows. Blackout shades or thermal curtains can make a big difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>3. \u003Cstrong>Avoid Heat-Producing Activities During the Day\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Running the oven, stove, dishwasher, or dryer during the day adds heat to your home. Try cooking in the evening or using outdoor grills and air-dry laundry when possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>4. \u003Cstrong>Seal Air Leaks\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Air escaping through gaps around windows and doors makes your AC work harder. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal leaks and keep cool air inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>5. \u003Cstrong>Maintain Proper Insulation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Good insulation isn’t just for winter. It also helps keep hot air out during the summer months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>6. \u003Cstrong>Program Your Thermostat\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Use a programmable or smart thermostat to adjust temperatures while you're away. Setting it a few degrees higher when no one is home can save energy without sacrificing comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>7. \u003Cstrong>Schedule Regular AC Maintenance\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>A well-maintained air conditioner runs more efficiently and is less likely to break down. Change filters regularly and have your system professionally inspected at least once a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Need a Hand With Summer Cooling?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Whether you need a tune-up or advice on energy-saving upgrades, James' Plumbing & Heating is here to help you stay cool all summer long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Call \u003Ca href=\"tel:5054737148\">505-473-7148\u003C\u002Fa> or schedule an appointment online today!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u002Fimg\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-keep-your-home-cool-without-overworking-your-ac.jpeg",2,"how-to-keep-your-home-cool-without-overworking-your-ac","As summer temperatures rise in Santa Fe, your air conditioner works hard to keep your home comfortable. But running it nonstop can lead to high energy bills and unnecessary wear on your system. At James'…","How to Keep Your Home Cool Without Overworking Your AC",{"category":5,"date":24,"html":25,"image":26,"readingMinutes":19,"slug":27,"sourceUrl":11,"summary":28,"title":29},"2025-06-01","\u003Cp>In dry climates like Santa Fe, swamp coolers (also known as evaporative coolers) are a popular alternative to traditional air conditioning. But are they the right choice for your home? At James' Plumbing & Heating, we help homeowners make informed decisions about their cooling systems. Here's what you need to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>What Is a Swamp Cooler?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>A swamp cooler uses a fan to pull hot, dry air through water-saturated pads. As the air passes through, it evaporates the water and cools down before circulating through your home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Benefits of Swamp Coolers\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Energy Efficiency:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Swamp coolers use significantly less electricity than traditional AC systems\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Lower Operating Costs:\u003C\u002Fstrong> With fewer moving parts and less power consumption, they’re generally cheaper to run and maintain\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Eco-Friendly Cooling:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Uses water instead of refrigerants\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fresh Air Flow:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Constantly pulls in outside air instead of recycling indoor air\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch3>Limitations to Consider\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Climate Dependent:\u003C\u002Fstrong> They work best in dry climates—less effective in high humidity\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Open Window Requirement:\u003C\u002Fstrong> You’ll need open windows or vents for proper airflow\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Seasonal Maintenance:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Units must be winterized to prevent damage during cold months\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch3>Swamp Cooler vs. Traditional AC\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cfigure>\u003Ctable>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Cth>Feature\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>Swamp Cooler\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>Traditional AC\u003C\u002Fth>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Energy Use\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Low\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>High\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Best for Humid Areas\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>No\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Yes\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Cost to Operate\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Low\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Moderate to High\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Maintenance Needs\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Seasonal (wet pads, winterization)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Regular (filters, refrigerant checks)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\u003Ch3>Is a Swamp Cooler Right for You?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>A swamp cooler may be a great fit if:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>You live in a dry climate (like Santa Fe)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>You're looking to reduce your energy bills\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>You prefer eco-conscious home systems\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch3>Need Help Installing or Servicing Your Swamp Cooler?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>James' Plumbing & Heating specializes in swamp cooler installation, startup, shutdown, and maintenance. Whether you’re looking to switch from AC or need seasonal service, we’ve got you covered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Call \u003Ca href=\"tel:5054737148\">505-473-7148\u003C\u002Fa> or book your swamp cooler service online today!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u002Fimg\u002Fblog\u002Fis-a-swamp-cooler-right-for-my-home.jpeg","is-a-swamp-cooler-right-for-my-home","In dry climates like Santa Fe, swamp coolers (also known as evaporative coolers) are a popular alternative to traditional air conditioning. But are they the right choice for your home? At James' Plumbing &…","Is a Swamp Cooler Right for My Home?",{"category":5,"date":31,"html":32,"image":33,"readingMinutes":19,"slug":34,"sourceUrl":11,"summary":35,"title":36},"2025-03-21","\u003Cp>It’s a hot day in Santa Fe, and instead of a refreshing blast of cool air, your AC is blowing warm air. What gives? At James' Plumbing & Heating, we know how frustrating this can be. Here are the most common reasons your AC might be underperforming—and what you can do about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>1. \u003Cstrong>Incorrect Thermostat Settings\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Before assuming the worst, double-check your thermostat. Make sure:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>It’s set to “Cool” mode (not just “Fan”)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>The temperature is set lower than the current room temp\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\u003Cli>The batteries are working (if applicable)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\u003Ch3>2. \u003Cstrong>Dirty Air Filter\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>A clogged air filter restricts airflow, which can cause your system to overheat and blow warm air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Replace your air filter if it looks dirty—it’s a simple and affordable fix that makes a big difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>3. \u003Cstrong>Refrigerant Leak\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Low refrigerant levels mean your system can’t absorb and remove heat effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> This isn’t a DIY repair. If you suspect a leak, call a licensed HVAC technician to inspect and recharge your system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>4. \u003Cstrong>Dirty or Blocked Condenser Unit\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Your outdoor AC unit (the condenser) needs clear airflow to release heat. If it’s clogged with dirt, leaves, or debris, it can’t do its job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Turn off the power and gently hose off the unit. Trim plants and clear debris from around the condenser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>5. \u003Cstrong>Electrical Issues\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Sometimes the indoor unit is running, but the outdoor condenser isn’t due to a tripped breaker or faulty wiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Check your circuit breaker for any tripped switches. If the problem persists, call an HVAC pro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>6. \u003Cstrong>Frozen Evaporator Coil\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>Restricted airflow, dirty coils, or refrigerant issues can cause the indoor evaporator coil to freeze, stopping cold air production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Turn off the system to let it thaw, and call a professional to find and fix the root cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch3>Don’t Sweat It—We Can Help\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\u003Cp>If your AC is blowing warm air, and basic troubleshooting doesn’t solve it, give James' Plumbing & Heating a call. Our HVAC experts will quickly diagnose the issue and get your cool air flowing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Contact us at \u003Ca href=\"tel:5054737148\">505-473-7148\u003C\u002Fa> or book your AC service online today!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u002Fimg\u002Fblog\u002Fwhy-is-my-ac-blowing-warm-air.jpeg","why-is-my-ac-blowing-warm-air","It’s a hot day in Santa Fe, and instead of a refreshing blast of cool air, your AC is blowing warm air. What gives? At James' Plumbing & Heating, we know how frustrating this can be. Here are the most common…","Why Is My AC Blowing Warm Air?",1787213982239]