Hot summer weather can push any air conditioner to the edge. As temperatures in Moline continue to increase, many homeowners notice rising energy bills, warm areas throughout the home and cooling systems that seem to run all day without keeping up.
You may think the AC alone determines how comfortable your home feels. However, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play a significant role in cooling performance.
This guide highlights three simple strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: improving airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and using shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at J.L. Brady Company LLC, you’ll keep your house cool during heatwaves.
Start with Airflow: Help Your AC Work Smarter
Air conditioners cool air and send it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that cooled air to keep your home comfortable, it must be able to move freely throughout your home. If airflow is blocked, some rooms may stay warm.
Many homeowners blame their air conditioning system for an uncomfortably hot home. However, the AC is often working fine—the real problem is poor airflow. A dirty air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all reduce airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Tips
Taking these easy steps to boost airflow in your home can enhance comfort, minimize strain on your AC and lower energy costs.
- Swapout dirty air filters. Consistent AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system increase airflow while improving indoor air quality.
- Ensure supply and return vents are free from obstructions. Furniture, rugs and curtains can cause blocked air vents that keep cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Open up doors in unused rooms. This 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. By doing a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can check and clean dirty blower components that may limit your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Insulation provides a barrier against hot outdoor air. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps keep that heat from getting inside. Better insulation increases 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 heatwaves. Proper attic insulation and cooling work together 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.
Whenever 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, home insulation levels—not the air conditioner—are the problem.
Signs of Poor Home Insulation Levels
- Hot upstairsrooms
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- High utilitybills
- AnAC system that runs nonstop
Use Shade to Help Lower Cooling Costs
Sunlight coming through windows and warming 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 reducing its ability to release heat efficiently. Adding shade around your property can reduce solar heat gain, improve comfort and lower summer energy bills. Shading your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never restrict airflow around the condenser. Avoid 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. Place 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 maintain enough airflow.
- Install window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes limit heat gain from sunlight shining through windows.
- Use solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, placed on sun-facing windows help reduce the sun’s heat while still letting in natural light.
- Strategically use outdoor shade. Use 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.
- Lower blinds in the afternoon heat. Leave blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to help reduce indoor temperatures and reduce the load on your air conditioner.
Additional Summer Heat Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade all make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can also increase comfort during intense summer heat.
- Settheappropriate ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to create 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 reduce indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Don’t make frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Regular service helps your system run efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Watchfor unusual system performance. Address strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more expensive repairs.
The Importance of Knowing When It’s Time to Contact an HVAC Professional
At-home AC maintenance and energy-saving cooling strategies can help, but some problems need professional attention. When warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your air conditioning seems to run constantly, energy bills increase for no reason, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s a good idea to schedule an expert evaluation.
At J.L. Brady Company LLC, our cooling specialists inspect 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 cool during a heat wave takes more than just your AC. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and well-planned shade work together to increase comfort, increase efficiency and reduce 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 knowledge 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 Cooling Your Home in Summer
Why is my house still hot even when the air conditioner is operating?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always your AC. Poor airflow, too little insulation, improper thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all reduce cooling performance and keep cool air from reaching every room.
Does adding shade really help reduce cooling costs?
It can. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings reduce solar heat gain, helping your home feel cooler. Reducing the amount of heat entering your home means your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That uses less energy, which can lower your cooling expenses.
How often should I check and replace my HVAC air filter in the summer?
Most homeowners should check their air filter every month during peak cooling season and replace it as needed. Your recommended air filter replacement schedule depends on the air filter you use, pets, allergies and how frequently 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 the workload on your AC. Making sure your home has appropriate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while lowering energy.
Should I put a cover over my outdoor AC unit to keep it cooler?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s running because the condenser needs unrestricted airflow to release heat. Adding shade for your outdoor air conditioner unit is beneficial, but always keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to maintain proper airflow.
What temperature should I set my thermostat at during hot weather?
In many households, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during very hot 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.
