Extreme summer heat can push any air conditioner to its limits. As temperatures in Lincoln climb, many homeowners notice increased energy bills, uneven temperatures throughout the home and cooling systems that seem to run all day without keeping up.
You may think the air conditioning alone determines how comfortable your home feels. The fact is, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.
This guide covers three practical strategies that can increase comfort and cooling efficiency: boosting airflow in your home, making sure your home has enough insulation and adding shade to reduce heat from the sun. When you follow these summer AC tips from the pros at AW Heating & Air Conditioning, you’ll keep your house cool in summer.
Start with Airflow: Make Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently
Air conditioners cool air and distribute it through ductwork to rooms 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 feel warmer than others.
It’s common for homeowners to blame their AC for poor cooling performance. The truth is, 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 steps to improve airflow in your home can improve comfort, reduce strain on your AC and lower 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 lead to 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.
- Schedule preventiveAC maintenance services. During a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can inspect and clean dirty blower components that may limit your system’s ability to circulate air.
Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect
Insulation acts as a barrier against outdoor heat. As your air conditioner removes heat from inside your home, insulation helps stop heat from moving indoors. Better insulation improves comfort, decreases cooling run times and can help increase the life of your HVAC system.
The attic is one of the largest sources of unwanted heat gain during hot weather. Proper attic insulation and cooling work together because attic insulation limits heat transfer through the roof. Proper weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help prevent hot outdoor air from entering your home.
If insulation levels are too low or air leaks are present, your AC 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
- Upper floor rooms are always hot
- Inconsistent room temperatures
- High utilitybills
- AnAC system that runs nonstop
Use Shade to Help Lower Cooling Costs
Sunlight shining through windows and warming your roof and exterior walls raises indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Direct sunlight can also reduce the efficiency of your outdoor cooling unit by making it more difficult to release heat efficiently. Adding shade around your property can reduce 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 obstruct 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. Place trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor cooling 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 ensure it receives 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 letting in natural light.
- Incorporate outdoor shade. Add landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to keep direct sunlight off windows before it enters your home.
- Close your blinds during the afternoon. Maintain blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to lower indoor temperatures and reduce the load on your air conditioner.
Additional Hot Weather Survival Tips
Airflow, insulation and shade can make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can further improve comfort during periods of extreme summer heat.
- Adjust ceiling fan direction. Operate 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 helpreduce indoor heat.
- Manage thermostat settings. Avoid frequent temperature changes that cause your AC to work harder.
- Arrange preventative maintenance. Regular 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 more extensive 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. If you notice warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your AC runs almost 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 AW Heating & Air Conditioning, our cooling specialists inspect airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to pinpoint the underlying cause to help your HVAC system run at its best throughout the summer.
Keep Your Cool All Summer Long
Keeping your home cool during a heat wave takes more than just your air conditioner. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and effective shade work together to enhance comfort, improve efficiency and decrease cooling costs. When paired 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 no matter how hot it gets outside. If you’re looking for 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 Summer AC Performance
Why is my house still uncomfortable even when the AC is on?
When your house stays hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always the 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 shade really help cut cooling costs?
Yes. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings reduce solar heat gain, helping your home feel 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 necessary. The ideal air filter replacement schedule depends on the filter type, pets, allergies and how frequently your air conditioner runs.
Can insulation {help|make my air conditioner work better?
Absolutely. Proper home insulation slows 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 up my outdoor AC unit during hot weather?
You shouldn’t. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs unrestricted airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor air conditioner 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 keep my thermostat at in the summer?
For most homeowners, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers the right balance of comfort and energy efficiency during hot summer weather. Choose the highest temperature that keeps your family comfortable, and don’t make large thermostat adjustments that force your air conditioner to work harder.
