Extreme summer heat can push any air conditioner to its limits. As temperatures in Frederick continue to increase, many families notice higher energy bills, warm areas throughout the home and cooling systems that appear to run all day without keeping up.
You may think the AC alone determines how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s air circulation, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three simple strategies that can increase comfort and cooling efficiency: boosting airflow in your home, making sure your home has proper insulation and creating shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at May's Heating & Air, you’ll keep your house cool in summer.
Start with Airflow: Help Your AC Work Smarter
AC units cool the air and distribute it through ductwork to the rooms in your home. For that conditioned air to cool every room effectively, it must move freely throughout the house. If airflow is restricted, some rooms may not cool properly.
Many people blame their AC for a hot home. However, the AC is often working properly—the real problem is limited airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all reduce airflow.
Home Airflow Improvement Tips
Taking these easy steps to improve airflow in your home can enhance comfort, lower strain on your AC and reduce energy costs.
- Change dirty air filters. Routine 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 cause blocked air vents that keep cooled air from circulating throughout your home.
- Open up doors in unused rooms. This allows air to move more evenly between rooms.
- Move furniture covering registers.Keeping registers clear allows conditioned air to circulate properly.
- Arrange preventiveAC maintenance services. During a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can examine and clean dirty blower components that may limit 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 prevent outdoor heat from entering. High-quality insulation enhances comfort, reduces cooling run times and can help extend the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the primary sources of solar heat gain during heatwaves. Proper attic insulation and cooling are closely connected because attic insulation slows heat transfer through the roof. Sealing gaps and sealing around doors and windows also help keep hot outdoor air from getting inside.
Whenever insulation levels are too low or air leaks allow hot air to sneak inside, your AC has to work harder. This often causes homeowners to ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” In many cases, home insulation levels—not the air conditioner—are the problem.
Signs of Low Home Insulation Levels
- Hot upstairsrooms
- Hotand cold spots
- Risingenergy bills
- Air conditioner runningconstantly
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 AC unit by reducing its ability to release heat efficiently. Using shade around your property can reduce solar heat gain, improve comfort and lower 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 restrict air movement.
5 Summer AC Tips for Using Shade to Cool Your Home
- Add trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC equipment. If you’re shading 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.
- 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 allowing in natural light.
- Strategically use outdoor shade. Add landscaping and design features like awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to block direct sunlight off windows so it can’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 Summer Heat Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade can make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can further improve comfort during intense summer heat.
- Settheappropriate ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to produce a cooling breeze.
- Avoid heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Operate ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to helpreduce indoor heat.
- Set thermostat settings. Don’t make frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder.
- Book preventative maintenance. Routine service helps your system operate efficiently before peak cooling season.
- Monitor unusual system performance. Take care of 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 spike, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, you should consider an expert evaluation.
At May's Heating & Air, our cooling specialists assess airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to pinpoint the real cause to help your HVAC system perform at its best throughout the summer.
Keep Your Cool All Summer Long
Staying cool during a heat wave involves more than just your air conditioner. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and well-planned shade work together to increase comfort, boost efficiency and lower cooling costs. Combined with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system run at its best when you need it most.
has the knowledge and experience to keep you comfortable all season long. 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 hot even when the air conditioning is on?
When your house stays hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always your air conditioner. Poor airflow, inadequate insulation, improper thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and keep cool air from reaching every room.
Does outdoor shade really help reduce cooling costs?
Absolutely. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings block solar heat gain, helping your home feel 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 change my HVAC air filter throughout the cooling season?
For most homes, homeowners should check their air filter every month during peak cooling season and replace it as necessary. The ideal 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 perform better?
Absolutely. Proper home insulation reduces 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 keep more consistent indoor temperatures while using less energy.
Should I put a cover over my outdoor AC unit to keep it cooler?
No. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs unobstructed airflow to release heat. Creating shade for your outdoor air conditioner unit is helpful, 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 when it’s hot outside?
In many households, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers an excellent balance of comfort and energy efficiency during a heat wave. Set the highest temperature that keeps you comfortable, and avoid large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.