Summer heat waves can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Plover continue to increase, it’s common to notice increased energy bills, warm areas throughout the home and cooling systems that seem to run all day without keeping up.
People often think the AC is the only thing that affects how comfortable your home feels. However, your home’s air circulation, insulation and shade all play a significant role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three practical strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: increasing airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and creating shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at Point Heating & Cooling, you’ll keep your house cool in even the hottest weather.
Start with Airflow: Improve Airflow for Better Cooling
Air conditioners cool the air and send it through ductwork to every room in your home. For that cool air to keep your home comfortable, it must move freely throughout the home. Whenever airflow is blocked, some rooms may not cool properly.
Many people blame their air conditioning system for a hot home. The truth is, the AC is often working just fine—the real problem is poor airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all limit airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Tips
Taking steps to boost airflow in your home can enhance comfort, reduce strain on your AC and reduce energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Regular AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system move air more effectively while supporting indoor air quality.
- Ensure supply and return vents are unblocked. Furniture, rugs and curtains can lead to blocked air vents that keep cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Keep interior doors open. This allows air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Reposition furniture covering registers.Keeping registers clear allows conditioned air to circulate freely.
- Book preventiveAC maintenance services. By doing a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can inspect and clean dust-covered blower components that may limit your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation provides a barrier against outdoor heat. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. High-quality insulation improves comfort, reduces cooling run times and can help increase the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the largest sources of solar heat gain during summer. Proper attic insulation and cooling go hand in hand because attic insulation slows heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help stop hot outdoor air from sneaking inside.
If insulation levels are too low or air leaks allow hot air to sneak inside, your AC has to work harder. As a result, many homeowners ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” Often, insufficient insulation—not the air conditioner—is the problem.
Signs of Poor Home Insulation Levels
- Warmsecond-floor rooms
- Hotand cold spots
- High utilitybills
- AnAC system that runs nonstop
Use Shade to Keep Your Home Cooler
Sunlight shining through windows and heating up your roof and exterior walls increases indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also impact your outdoor AC unit by making it harder to release heat efficiently. Using shade around your property can reduce solar heat gain, improve comfort and decrease summer energy bills. Using trees or other landscaping to shade your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never restrict airflow around the condenser. Keep away fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that block air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Keeping Your Home Cooler with Shade
- Add trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC equipment. When shading your outdoor AC unit, maintain at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to ensure it receives enough airflow.
- Use window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes reduce heat gain from sun streaming through windows.
- Install solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, placed on sun-facing windows help limit the sun’s heat while still allowing in natural light.
- Strategically use outdoor shade. Use landscaping and design features like awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to block direct sunlight off windows so it can’t heat up your home.
- Close your blinds during the afternoon. Shut blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to reduce indoor temperatures and ease the load on your air conditioner.
Additional Heat-Wave Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade can make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can also increase comfort during periods of extreme summer heat.
- Settheappropriate ceiling fan direction. Rotate ceiling fans counterclockwise to provide a cooling breeze.
- Avoid heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Operate ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to limit indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Professional service helps your system perform efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Pay attention to unusual system performance. Call a professional to investigate strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more expensive repairs.
Know When It’s Time to Turn to an HVAC Professional
DIY AC maintenance and energy-efficient cooling strategies can help, but some problems need professional attention. If warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your air conditioner seems to run constantly, energy bills spike, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s a good idea to schedule an expert evaluation.
At Point Heating & Cooling, our cooling specialists assess airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to determine the actual cause to help your HVAC system perform at its best throughout the summer.
Stay Comfortable All Summer Long
Staying comfortably cool during a heat wave requires more than just your air conditioning. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and effective shade work together to improve comfort, boost efficiency and lower cooling costs. Along with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system perform at its best when you need it most.
has the training and experience to keep you comfortable all season long. If you’re in need of AC maintenance, a cooling system inspection, an airflow evaluation or a complete summer tune-up, we’re here to help boost efficiency and comfort during hot summers. Schedule cooling services online or call today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer AC Performance
Why is my home still warm even when the AC is running?
When your house stays hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the air conditioner. Poor airflow, inadequate insulation, incorrect thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and stop cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help lower cooling costs?
It can. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings reduce solar heat gain, helping your home feel cooler. When less heat enters your home means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That saves energy, which helps reduce your cooling expenses.
How often should I change my HVAC air filter throughout the cooling season?
Most households should check their air filter every month during the peak cooling season and replace it as needed. The best air filter replacement schedule depends on the type of filter, pets, allergies and how often your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner run more efficiently?
It can. Proper home insulation reduces heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your air conditioning. Ensuring your home has appropriate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while using less energy.
Should I put a cover over my outdoor AC unit to keep it cooler?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s running because the condenser needs unobstructed airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor AC unit is beneficial, but always make sure there’s at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to maintain proper airflow.
What temperature should I adjust my thermostat to during a heat wave?
In many households, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers a good balance of comfort and energy efficiency during hot summer weather. Choose the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and try not to make large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioner to work harder.