Extreme summer heat can push your air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Cache Valley continue to increase, many homeowners notice higher energy bills, uneven temperatures throughout the home and cooling systems that appear to run all day without keeping up.
People often think the air conditioning is the only thing that affects how comfortable your home feels. However, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play a major role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three simple strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: boosting airflow in your home, making sure your home has enough insulation and using shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at Western Mechanical, Inc., you’ll keep your house cool during heatwaves.
Start with Airflow: Make Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently
Air conditioners lower the temperature of air and move it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that conditioned air to make rooms comfortable, it has to move freely throughout your home. Whenever airflow is restricted, some rooms may not cool properly.
It’s common for homeowners to blame their AC for poor cooling performance. In many cases, the AC is often working just fine—the real problem is restricted airflow. Dirty air filters, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all restrict airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Checklist
Taking steps to improve airflow in your home can improve comfort, lower strain on your AC and decrease energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Routine AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system move air more effectively while improving indoor air quality.
- Ensure supply and return vents are unblocked. Furniture, rugs and curtains can cause blocked air vents that stop cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Keep interior doors open. This allows air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Move furniture covering registers.Keeping registers clear allows conditioned air to circulate properly.
- Book preventiveAC maintenance services. During 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 Matters More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Insulation acts as a barrier against outdoor heat. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. Better insulation enhances comfort, lowers cooling run times and can help maximize the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the largest sources of solar heat gain during hot weather. Proper attic insulation and cooling work together because attic insulation reduces heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help prevent hot outdoor air from getting inside.
When insulation levels are too low or air leaks let warm air into your home, your AC has to work harder. This often causes homeowners to ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” Frequently, the real problem is inadequate insulation, and the AC is not the problem.
Signs of Poor Home Insulation Levels
- Warmsecond-floor rooms
- Uneventemperatures
- Risingenergy bills
- Air conditioner runningconstantly
Use Shade to Keep Your Home Cooler
Sunlight shining through windows and heating your roof and exterior walls raises indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also affect your outdoor AC unit by making it harder to release heat efficiently. Using shade around your property can minimize solar heat gain, improve comfort and reduce summer energy bills. Shading your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never obstruct airflow around the condenser. Keep away fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that restrict air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Keeping Your Home Cooler with Shade
- Plan trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor cooling 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 allow for enough airflow.
- Add window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes help 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 reduce the sun’s heat while still providing natural light.
- Strategically use exterior shading. Add landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to stop direct sunlight off windows before it enters your home.
- Keep blinds closed during high heat. Maintain 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 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.
- Change ceiling fan direction. Rotate ceiling fans counterclockwise to produce a cooling breeze.
- Limit heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Operate ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to reduce indoor heat.
- Adjust thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that force your AC to work harder.
- Book preventative maintenance. Regular service helps your system operate efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Watchfor unusual system performance. Address strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become larger repairs.
Know When It’s Time to Turn to an HVAC Professional
Basic AC maintenance and energy-saving cooling strategies can help, but some problems require professional attention. When warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your AC seems to run constantly, energy bills suddenly increase, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s time for an expert evaluation.
At Western Mechanical, Inc., our cooling specialists inspect airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to identify the real cause to help your HVAC system run at its best throughout the summer.
Enjoy Reliable Cooling All Summer Long
Staying comfortably cool during a heat wave takes more than just your air conditioning. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and well-planned shade work together to enhance comfort, increase efficiency and reduce cooling costs. When paired 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 no matter how hot it gets outside. If you’re in need of AC maintenance, a cooling system inspection, an airflow evaluation or a complete summer tune-up, our team can help boost efficiency and comfort during hot summers. Schedule cooling services online or call today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Air Conditioner Efficiency
Why is my home still hot even when the AC is running?
If your living space remains hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the air conditioner. Limited airflow, too little insulation, inefficient thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all reduce cooling performance and prevent cool air from reaching every room.
Does adding shade really help reduce cooling costs?
Absolutely. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings help reduce solar heat gain, helping your home feel cooler. Less heat entering your home means your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That saves energy, which helps decrease your cooling expenses.
How often should I check and replace my HVAC air filter throughout the cooling season?
Most homeowners should check their air filter every month during the busiest cooling season and replace it as necessary. The best air filter replacement schedule depends on the filter type, pets, allergies and how frequently your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner perform better?
It can. Proper home insulation limits 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 maintain more consistent indoor temperatures while using less energy.
Should I cover up my outdoor AC unit to keep it cooler?
No. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs open airflow to release heat. Adding shade for your outdoor air conditioning unit is beneficial, but always keep 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 in the summer?
For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during very hot weather. Set the highest temperature that keeps you comfortable, and try not to make large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioner to work harder.