Summer heat waves can push any air conditioner to the edge. As temperatures in Macon rise, many families notice increased energy bills, hot spots throughout the home and cooling systems that often 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. However, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.
This guide highlights three effective strategies that can increase comfort and cooling efficiency: improving airflow in your home, making sure your home has enough insulation and creating shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at Air Temperature Control, you’ll keep your house cool in summer.
Start with Airflow: Make Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently
Air conditioners cool air and move it through ductwork to every room in your home. For that cool air to keep your home comfortable, it must be able to move freely throughout the house. If airflow is restricted, some rooms may stay warm.
Many people blame their air conditioner for an uncomfortably hot home. In many cases, the AC is often working properly—the real problem is poor airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all inhibit airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Tips
Taking these easy steps to boost airflow in your home can increase comfort, reduce strain on your AC and lower energy costs.
- Replace dirty air filters. Regular AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system circulate air more efficiently while supporting indoor air quality.
- Check that 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.
- Openinterior doors. This allows air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Relocate furniture covering registers.Making sure registers are free of obstructions allows conditioned air to circulate properly.
- Book preventiveAC maintenance services. During a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can inspect and clean dust-covered blower components that may reduce your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Plays a Bigger Role Than Many Homeowners Think
Insulation provides a barrier against hot outdoor air. Although your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. Proper insulation increases comfort, decreases cooling run times and can help increase the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the primary sources of unwanted heat gain during heatwaves. Proper attic insulation and cooling are closely connected because attic insulation slows heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help prevent hot outdoor air from entering your home.
Whenever insulation levels are too low or air leaks allow hot air to sneak inside, your air conditioner has to work harder. This often causes homeowners to ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” In many cases, the real problem is inadequate insulation, and the AC is not the problem.
Signs of Low Home Insulation Levels
- Hot upstairsrooms
- Hotand cold spots
- Higher cooling costs
- An air conditioner that rarely shuts off
Use Shade to Help Lower Cooling Costs
Sunlight coming through windows and heating up your roof and exterior walls boosts indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also impact your outdoor AC unit by making it harder to release heat efficiently. Creating shade around your property can minimize solar heat gain, improve comfort and decrease summer energy bills. Putting in shade over your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never block airflow around the condenser. Don’t install fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that limit air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Using Shade to Cool Your Home
- Add trees and landscaping strategically. Place trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC equipment. While providing shade for your outdoor AC unit, keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides and 5 feet above the unit to allow for enough airflow.
- Install window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes help reduce heat gain from sun streaming through windows.
- Install solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, placed on sun-facing windows help block the sun’s heat while still allowing in natural light.
- Make use of exterior shading. Add landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to block 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 lower indoor temperatures and ease the load on your air conditioning system.
Additional Hot Weather Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can help 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. Run ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to helpreduce indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Trytoavoid frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Schedule preventative maintenance. Professional service helps your system perform 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 extensive repairs.
Know When It’s Time to Turn to an HVAC Professional
DIY AC maintenance and energy-saving 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 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 Air Temperature Control, our cooling specialists assess airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to pinpoint the actual cause to help your HVAC system perform at its best throughout the summer.
Enjoy Reliable Cooling All Summer Long
Staying comfortably cool during a heat wave takes more than just your AC. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and strategic shade work together to increase comfort, increase efficiency and reduce cooling costs. Along 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 all season long. If you’re looking for 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 home still warm even when the air conditioner is operating?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the AC. Limited airflow, too little insulation, improper thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can each reduce cooling performance and prevent cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help lower cooling costs?
It can. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings reduce solar heat gain, helping your home stay cooler. Reducing the amount of heat entering your home means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That saves energy, which can lower your cooling expenses.
How often should I replace my HVAC air filter during summer?
Most homeowners should check their air filter every month during peak cooling season and replace it as necessary. Your recommended 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 work better?
Yes. Proper home insulation reduces heat transfer into your home, reducing the workload on your AC. Making sure 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 to keep it cooler?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs unobstructed airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor AC unit is a good idea, but always maintain at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to maintain proper airflow.
What temperature should I adjust my thermostat to during hot weather?
For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers an excellent balance of comfort and energy efficiency during very hot weather. Set the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and don’t make large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.