5 HVAC Tips to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Summer means fun in the sun — but when your home is too hot for comfort, summertime is anything but fun. Your AC and other aspects of your home affect its internal temperature. Follow these five HVAC tips to keep your AC working and keep your home cool during the dog days.

1. Put the Thermostat on the Right Wall
How your thermostat reads the temperature in your home depends on where it’s placed. The thermostat takes readings of your home’s temperature and then activates or deactivates the air conditioner based on the temperature. If your thermostat is in a colder area of your home, like in the basement or next to the fridge, it might erroneously think your interior is cooler than it is.

Speak to an HVAC professional about moving your thermostat to a better location. The more accurate the readings it takes, the cooler your home will be.

2. Check Your Air Filters
If your home isn’t as cool as you like, try checking the air filters. These filters keep dust, allergens, and particulates from circulating through your air. If the filters become too clogged with particulates, cool air won’t circulate as well. Your AC will run longer, but your home won’t get any cooler.

Homeowners can easily forget to check air filters, even though air filter condition is important to the overall efficiency of your HVAC system. HVAC professionals make checking filters part of their regular service, so schedule a periodic visit from one to make sure your filters are fresh.

3. Install a Ceiling Fan
Heat rises, and cool air sinks. If your home has high, vaulted ceilings, the temperature in these large rooms might feel uneven or generally warmer than usual. Cold air will remain close to the ground, while warm air will rise up around you, making your home uncomfortable to be in.

You can better circulate the cool air with ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can either direct air downwards from the ceiling or draw it up from the floor. If you have a ceiling fan, make sure to switch its direction in the summer to ensure cool air flows upward and cools the temperature.

4. Tint Your Windows
Direct sunlight drastically affects your home’s interior temperature. Without proper insulation and window coverings, sunlight can penetrate your windows and heat your home to an uncomfortable degree. Keep unwanted warmth from your home with window tinting. Special UV window tints block UV rays and lessen the amount of heat that pours into your home through the windows.

You can buy special windows with window tinting already applied, or you can opt for easy-to-install films. Place these films on your east- and west-facing windows, and you’ll see a noticeable difference in your home’s temperature.

5. Upgrade Your System
Sometimes, your AC is just worn out. No manner of repairs or additional home improvements can make your home a refuge from the summer heat, which means that you should upgrade your system. New ENERGY STAR-certified air conditioners work efficiently, so they can cool larger spaces more quickly, without wreaking havoc on your utility bill.

Before you get a new AC, talk to a professional. Not all air conditioners are suited for all houses, and an HVAC technician will be able to help you choose a size that will suit your needs.

At Henry’s Service All, we can help you select an air conditioner that will keep the heat at bay. Our experienced professionals have working knowledge of all the best brands, so contact us today to learn more about how you can keep your home cool this summer.