Summer heat waves can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Carson City climb, many homeowners notice increased energy bills, uneven temperatures throughout the home and cooling systems that seem to run all day without keeping up.
People often think the air conditioner alone determines how comfortable your home feels. However, your home’s air circulation, insulation and shade all play a major role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three effective strategies that can increase 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. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at Anderson Heating & A/C, you’ll keep your house cool during heatwaves.
Start with Airflow: Make Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently
Air conditioners cool the air and distribute it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that cooled air to cool every room effectively, it must be able to move freely throughout your home. Whenever airflow is blocked, some rooms may stay warm.
It’s common for homeowners to blame their AC for an uncomfortably hot home. In many cases, the AC is often working fine—the real problem is poor airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all limit airflow.
Home Airflow Improvement Strategies
Following these simple steps to improve airflow in your home can enhance comfort, minimize strain on your AC and lower energy costs.
- Swapout 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 unblocked. Furniture, rugs and curtains can create blocked air vents that stop cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Openinterior doors. This helps air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Move furniture covering registers.Keeping registers clear allows conditioned air to circulate freely.
- Book preventiveAC maintenance services. As part of a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can inspect and clean debris-covered blower components that may affect your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation provides a barrier against the warm air outside your home. As your air conditioning removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. High-quality insulation improves comfort, decreases cooling run times and can help extend the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the biggest sources of unwanted heat gain during summer. Proper attic insulation and cooling go hand in hand because attic insulation reduces heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help keep hot outdoor air from sneaking 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?” In many cases, insufficient insulation—not the air conditioner—is the problem.
Signs of Low Home Insulation Levels
- Upper floor rooms are always hot
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- Risingenergy bills
- Air conditioner runningconstantly
Use Shade to Help Lower Cooling Costs
Sunlight shining through windows and warming your roof and exterior walls boosts indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also reduce the efficiency of your outdoor air conditioning unit by reducing its ability to release heat efficiently. Using shade around your property can minimize 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 block 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
- Plan trees and landscaping strategically. Position trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor air conditioning equipment. When shading your outdoor AC unit, keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to maintain enough airflow.
- Add window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes reduce heat gain from sunlight shining through windows.
- Add 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 allowing in 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 doesn’t heat up 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 reduce indoor temperatures and lighten the load on your cooling system.
Additional Heat-Wave Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can also increase comfort during periods of extreme summer heat.
- Settheappropriate ceiling fan direction. Run ceiling fans counterclockwise to produce a cooling breeze.
- Avoid heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Use ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to reduce indoor heat.
- Manage thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that cause your AC to work harder.
- Schedule preventative maintenance. Routine service helps your system run efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Watchfor unusual system performance. Call a professional to investigate strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more extensive repairs.
The Importance of Knowing When It’s Time to Contact an HVAC Professional
DIY AC maintenance and energy-saving cooling strategies can help, but some problems require professional attention. If you notice warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your AC seems to run constantly, energy bills increase for no reason, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, you should consider an expert evaluation.
At Anderson Heating & A/C, our cooling specialists inspect 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 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 in even the hottest weather. Whether you need 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 AC Performance
Why is my house still hot even when the air conditioning is operating?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the AC. Poor airflow, inadequate insulation, improper thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can each reduce cooling performance and stop cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help lower cooling costs?
Absolutely. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings block solar heat gain, helping your home stay cooler. Less heat entering your home means your AC 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 throughout the cooling season?
Most homeowners should check their air filter every month during the busiest 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 work better?
It can. Proper home insulation slows heat transfer into your home, reducing the workload on your air conditioning. Verifying your home has adequate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps create more consistent indoor temperatures while reducing energy.
Should I put a cover over my outdoor AC unit during hot weather?
Not while it’s running. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s running because the condenser needs open airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor air conditioner unit is a good idea, but always make sure there’s at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to provide proper airflow.
What temperature should I set my thermostat at during hot weather?
For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during hot summer weather. Use the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and don’t make large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.