Extreme summer heat can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the edge. As temperatures in Lawrence climb, many homeowners notice increased energy bills, warm areas throughout the home and cooling systems that appear to run all day without keeping up.
It’s easy to assume the AC is the only thing that affects how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play a significant role in cooling performance.
This guide explains three practical strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: increasing airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and adding shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at Scott Temperature, you’ll keep your house cool during heatwaves.
Start with Airflow: Help Your AC Work Smarter
AC units lower the temperature of air and distribute it through ductwork to every room in your home. For that conditioned air to cool every room effectively, it has to move freely throughout the home. If airflow is blocked, some rooms may stay warm.
It’s common for homeowners to blame their AC for poor cooling performance. In many cases, the AC is often working fine—the real problem is restricted airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all restrict airflow.
Home Airflow Improvement Strategies
Taking these easy steps to improve airflow in your home can increase comfort, reduce strain on your AC and decrease energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Consistent AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system circulate air more efficiently while supporting indoor air quality.
- Makesure supply and return vents are free from obstructions. Furniture, rugs and curtains can cause blocked air vents that stop cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Keep interior doors open. Doing so helps air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Move furniture covering registers.Making sure registers are uncovered allows conditioned air to circulate more easily.
- Book preventiveAC maintenance services. During a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can inspect and clean dirty blower components that may limit your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation acts as a barrier against the warm air outside your home. As your air conditioning removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps prevent outdoor heat from entering. Proper insulation improves comfort, lowers cooling run times and can help extend the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the biggest sources of solar heat gain during hot weather. Proper attic insulation and cooling work together because attic insulation limits heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help stop hot outdoor air from getting inside.
When 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?” Frequently, insufficient insulation—not the air conditioner—is the problem.
Signs of Low Home Insulation Levels
- Warmsecond-floor rooms
- Uneventemperatures
- High utilitybills
- An air conditioner that rarely shuts off
Use Shade to Reduce Heat Gain
Sunlight streaming through windows and heating your roof and exterior walls increases indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also affect your outdoor cooling unit by making it more difficult to release heat efficiently. Using shade around your property can minimize solar heat gain, improve comfort and lower summer energy bills. Using trees or other landscaping to shade your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never obstruct airflow around the condenser. Avoid fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that block air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips to Reduce Heat with Outdoor Shade
- Plan trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC equipment. While providing shade for your outdoor AC unit, keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to allow for enough airflow.
- Add window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes reduce heat gain from direct sunlight coming through windows.
- Use solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, used on sun-facing windows help block the sun’s heat while still providing natural light.
- Strategically use outdoor shade. Add landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to stop 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 lighten the load on your air conditioner.
Additional Summer Heat 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.
- Adjust ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to provide a cooling breeze.
- Limit heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Use 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.
- Book preventative maintenance. Routine service helps your system operate efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Monitor unusual system performance. Take care of strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more expensive repairs.
Recognize When It’s Time to Call an HVAC Professional
DIY AC maintenance and energy-efficient cooling strategies can help, but some problems need professional attention. When warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your air conditioner runs almost 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 Scott Temperature, our cooling specialists evaluate airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to determine the underlying cause to help your HVAC system run at its best throughout the summer.
Stay Comfortable All Summer Long
Staying cool during a heat wave involves more than just your air conditioning. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and strategic shade work together to improve comfort, improve efficiency and lower cooling costs. When paired with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system run at its best when you need it most.
has the training and experience to keep you comfortable in even the hottest weather. If you’re in need of AC maintenance, a cooling system inspection, an airflow evaluation or a complete summer tune-up, we’ll help boost efficiency and comfort during hot summers. Schedule cooling services online or call today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooling Your Home in Summer
Why is my house still uncomfortable even when the air conditioner is on?
If your living space remains hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the air conditioner. Restricted airflow, too little insulation, inefficient thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all reduce cooling performance and keep cool air from reaching every room.
Does shade really help lower cooling costs?
It can. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings block solar heat gain, helping your home remain cooler. Reducing the amount of heat entering your home means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That uses less energy, which helps decrease your cooling expenses.
How often should I change my HVAC air filter in the summer?
Most households should check their air filter every month during the peak cooling season and replace it as necessary. The ideal air filter replacement schedule depends on the air filter you use, pets, allergies and the amount of time your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner work better?
Absolutely. Proper home insulation reduces heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your AC. Verifying your home has appropriate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while reducing energy.
Should I cover my outdoor AC unit to help it run better?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs open airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor air conditioning unit is a good idea, but always maintain at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to allow proper airflow.
What temperature should I adjust my thermostat to during a heat wave?
For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during a heat wave. Use the highest temperature that keeps you comfortable, and avoid large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.