Hot summer weather can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Toledo climb, it’s common to 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 conditioning is the one thing that determines how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play a major role in cooling performance.
This guide explains three simple strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: increasing airflow in your home, making sure your home has adequate insulation and creating shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at Northwest Services, you’ll keep your house cool during heatwaves.
Start with Airflow: Improve Airflow for Better Cooling
AC units cool the air and move it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that cool air to make rooms comfortable, it must be able to move freely throughout the home. Whenever airflow is restricted, some rooms may not cool properly.
Many homeowners blame their air conditioner for an uncomfortably hot home. In many cases, the AC is often working properly—the real problem is poor airflow. Dirty air filters, 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 enhance comfort, minimize strain on your AC and decrease energy costs.
- Swapout dirty air filters. Regular AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system move air more effectively while improving indoor air quality.
- Check that supply and return vents are free from obstructions. Furniture, rugs and curtains can create blocked air vents that prevent cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Keep interior doors open. This helps air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Reposition furniture covering registers.Making sure registers are free of obstructions allows conditioned air to circulate properly.
- Arrange 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 Plays a Bigger Role Than Many Homeowners Think
Insulation acts as a barrier against outdoor heat. Although your air conditioning removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps keep that heat from getting inside. Proper insulation enhances comfort, lowers cooling run times and can help maximize 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 go hand in hand because attic insulation slows heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help prevent hot outdoor air from sneaking inside.
If insulation levels are too low or air leaks let warm air into your home, your air conditioner has to work harder. As a result, many homeowners ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” Often, home insulation levels—not the air conditioner—are the problem.
Signs of Poor Home Insulation Levels
- Warmsecond-floor rooms
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- Higher cooling costs
- An air conditioner that rarely shuts off
Use Shade to Keep Your Home Cooler
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 reduce the efficiency of your outdoor air conditioning unit by making it harder to release heat efficiently. Creating 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 limit air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Keeping Your Home Cooler with Shade
- Plant trees and landscaping strategically. Position trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC 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 limit 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 letting in natural light.
- Incorporate exterior shading. Add landscaping and design features like 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. Shut blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to lower 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 further improve comfort during extreme summer heat.
- Change ceiling fan direction. Rotate ceiling fans counterclockwise to provide 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 limit indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Trytoavoid frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Professional service helps your system operate efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Pay attention to unusual system performance. Call a professional to investigate strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become more expensive repairs.
Recognize When It’s Time to Call an HVAC Professional
Basic AC maintenance and efficiency-focused cooling strategies can help, but some problems need 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 a good idea to schedule an expert evaluation.
At Northwest Services, our cooling specialists evaluate airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to determine the actual cause to help your HVAC system operate 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 effective shade work together to enhance comfort, boost efficiency and lower cooling costs. Combined with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system perform at its best when you need it most.
has the expertise 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, 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 home still warm even when the air conditioning is running?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always your air conditioner. Limited airflow, inadequate insulation, inefficient thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and stop cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help reduce cooling costs?
Yes. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings block solar heat gain, helping your home stay cooler. Less heat entering your home means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. This reduces energy, which can lower 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 peak cooling season and replace it as necessary. The best air filter replacement schedule depends on the filter type, pets, allergies and the amount of time your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner run more efficiently?
It can. Proper home insulation slows heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your air conditioner. Ensuring your home has adequate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps maintain more consistent indoor temperatures while lowering energy.
Should I cover up my outdoor AC unit during hot weather?
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 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 keep my thermostat at during hot weather?
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. Set the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and avoid large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioning to work harder.