Hot summer weather can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Florissant and St. Charles climb, many families notice rising 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 air conditioner is the one thing that determines how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s air circulation, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three simple strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: increasing airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and using shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at B&B Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, you’ll keep your house cool in even the hottest weather.
Start with Airflow: Improve Airflow for Better Cooling
AC units cool the air and move it through ductwork to every room in your home. For that conditioned air to cool every room effectively, it has to move freely throughout your home. Whenever airflow is blocked, some rooms may stay warm.
Many homeowners blame their AC for a hot home. In many cases, the AC is often working just fine—the real problem is poor airflow. A dirty air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all restrict airflow.
Home Airflow Improvement Checklist
Taking these easy steps to improve airflow in your home can increase comfort, lower strain on your AC and reduce energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Regular AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system increase airflow while improving indoor air quality.
- Check that supply and return vents are clear. Furniture, rugs and curtains can cause blocked air vents that stop cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Open up doors in unused rooms. Doing so helps air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Relocate furniture covering registers.Making sure registers are free of obstructions allows conditioned air to circulate more easily.
- Schedule preventiveAC maintenance services. As part of a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can examine and clean dirty blower components that may reduce your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation serves as a barrier against hot outdoor air. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. High-quality insulation enhances comfort, lowers cooling run times and can help extend the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the largest sources of unwanted 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 keep hot outdoor air from entering your home.
When insulation levels are too low or air leaks let warm air into your home, your air conditioner has to work harder. That often leads homeowners to ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” Often, the real problem is inadequate insulation, and the AC is not the problem.
Signs of Inadequate Home Insulation Levels
- Hot upstairsrooms
- Hotand cold spots
- Risingenergy bills
- An air conditioner that rarely shuts off
Use Shade to Keep Your Home Cooler
Sunlight streaming through windows and heating up your roof and exterior walls increases indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also reduce the efficiency of your outdoor AC unit by making it more difficult to release heat efficiently. Creating shade around your property can limit solar heat gain, improve comfort and decrease summer energy bills. Shading your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never block airflow around the condenser. Avoid fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that restrict air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Using Shade to Cool Your Home
- Plant trees and landscaping strategically. Position trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor air conditioning equipment. While providing shade for your outdoor AC unit, maintain at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to allow for enough airflow.
- Use window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes reduce heat gain from sun streaming through windows.
- Use solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, used on sun-facing windows help limit the sun’s heat while still providing 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 before it enters 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 help reduce indoor temperatures and lighten the load on your cooling system.
Additional Heat-Wave Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade can make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can help improve comfort during intense summer heat.
- Settheappropriate ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to provide a cooling breeze.
- Reduceuse of heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Operate ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to helpreduce indoor heat.
- Adjust thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that cause your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Professional service helps your system operate efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Watchfor unusual system performance. Take care of strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more extensive repairs.
Know When It’s Time to Turn to an HVAC Professional
At-home AC maintenance and efficiency-focused cooling strategies can help, but some problems need professional attention. If you notice warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your AC runs almost constantly, energy bills suddenly increase, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s time for an expert evaluation.
At B&B Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, 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 perform at its best throughout the summer.
Keep Your Cool All Summer Long
Staying comfortably cool during a heat wave takes more than just your AC. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and well-planned shade work together to improve comfort, increase efficiency and decrease cooling costs. Combined with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system operate at its best when you need it most.
has the training and experience to keep you comfortable no matter how hot it gets outside. If you’re looking for 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 warm even when the air conditioning is on?
When your house stays hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the AC. Poor airflow, too little insulation, improper thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and prevent cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help cut cooling costs?
Yes. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings reduce solar heat gain, helping your home remain cooler. Less heat entering your home means your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. This reduces energy, which helps decrease your cooling expenses.
How often should I change my HVAC air filter during summer?
Most homeowners should check their air filter every month during the busiest cooling season and replace it as necessary. The ideal air filter replacement schedule depends on the type of filter, pets, allergies and the amount of time your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner run more efficiently?
Yes. Proper home insulation reduces heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your AC. Verifying your home has proper insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while using less energy.
Should I cover my outdoor AC unit to help it run better?
No. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s running because the condenser needs open airflow to release heat. Adding shade for your outdoor AC unit is a good idea, but always keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to provide proper airflow.
What temperature should I keep my thermostat at during a heat wave?
For most homeowners, 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 don’t make large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioner to work harder.