Summer heat waves can push any air conditioner to the breaking point. As temperatures in Iowa City continue to increase, many homeowners notice higher 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 AC is the one thing that determines how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s air circulation, insulation and shade all play a significant role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three simple strategies that can enhance comfort and cooling efficiency: improving airflow in your home, making sure your home has enough insulation and adding shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, you’ll keep your house cool in even the hottest weather.
Start with Airflow: Improve Airflow for Better Cooling
Air conditioners cool air and distribute it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that conditioned air to keep your home comfortable, it has to move freely throughout your house. When airflow is blocked, some rooms may feel warmer than others.
Many people blame their AC for an uncomfortably hot home. The truth is, the AC is often working fine—the real problem is limited airflow. A dirty air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all prevent good airflow.
Home Airflow Optimization Tips
Taking steps to boost airflow in your home can improve comfort, lower strain on your AC and decrease energy costs.
- Replace dirty air filters. Routine AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system circulate air more efficiently while supporting indoor air quality.
- Makesure supply and return vents are clear. Furniture, rugs and curtains can lead to blocked air vents that stop 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 uncovered allows conditioned air to circulate more easily.
- Schedule preventiveAC maintenance services. As part of a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can examine and clean dirty blower components that may affect your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation serves as a barrier against hot outdoor air. Although your AC removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps prevent outdoor heat from entering. Proper insulation improves comfort, reduces cooling run times and can help maximize the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the primary sources of solar heat gain during hot weather. 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 stop hot outdoor air from sneaking inside.
If insulation levels are too low or air leaks are present, your air conditioner has to work harder. That often leads homeowners to 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
- Upper floor rooms are always hot
- 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 raises 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 minimize solar heat gain, improve comfort and decrease summer energy bills. Shading your air conditioner’s outdoor unit can also help—but never restrict airflow around the condenser. Keep away 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. 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 maintain enough airflow.
- Use window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes reduce heat gain from direct sunlight coming through windows.
- Install solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, used on sun-facing windows help limit the sun’s heat while still letting in natural light.
- Incorporate 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.
- Lower blinds in the afternoon 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 all make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can also increase comfort during extreme summer heat.
- Adjust ceiling fan direction. Run ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
- Limit heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Use ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to helpreduce indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that cause your AC to work harder.
- Book preventative maintenance. Regular service helps your system perform efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Monitor unusual system performance. Call a professional to investigate strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become larger repairs.
Recognize When It’s Time to Contact an HVAC Professional
DIY 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 suddenly increase, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s a good idea to schedule an expert evaluation.
At Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, our cooling specialists inspect airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to identify the underlying 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 conditioner. 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 run at its best when you need it most.
has the expertise 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, 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 Summer AC Performance
Why is my home still uncomfortable even when the air conditioning is on?
If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the AC. Restricted airflow, too little insulation, incorrect thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and stop cool air from reaching every room.
Does adding shade really help cut 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 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 peak cooling season and replace it as needed. The best air filter replacement schedule depends on the filter type, pets, allergies and how often your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner perform better?
Absolutely. Proper home insulation limits heat transfer into your home, reducing the workload on your air conditioner. Ensuring your home has adequate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps keep more consistent indoor temperatures while reducing energy.
Should I cover my outdoor AC unit during hot weather?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor AC unit while it’s running because the condenser needs unobstructed airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor AC unit is beneficial, but always keep at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to provide proper airflow.
What temperature should I keep my thermostat at in the summer?
In many households, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during hot summer weather. Set the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and try not to make large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioning to work harder.
