Top Tips for Cooling Your Home in Extreme Heat

Summer can bring sweltering temperatures that push your home’s cooling system to its limits. Keeping your home cool during extreme heat is crucial for comfort and health. Here’s a comprehensive guide from Honesty Services, serving Rock Hill, SC, and surrounding areas in North Carolina and South Carolina, to help you keep your house cool and reduce energy costs during the hottest months of the year.

Understanding the Importance of Cooling Your Home

Extreme heat can make your home uncomfortable and even dangerous. Overheating can cause health problems like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially in groups like children and the elderly. Let’s also not forget our furry friends too. It is super important to know, that excessive heat can strain your HVAC system, leading to higher energy bills and potential breakdowns.

Here are some essential Tips and Tricks you can follow to cool your home during extreme heat: 

Optimize Your HVAC System

1. Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is the cornerstone of an efficient HVAC system. Schedule twice-a-year cleanings with Honesty Services to ensure your system is running smoothly. This includes:

• Cleaning or replacing air filters every 1-3 months.
• Checking refrigerant levels.
• Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils.
• Ensuring the thermostat is working correctly.

For more information, you can read our blog on maintaining your HVAC System here.

2. Thermostat Settings

Invest in a programmable thermostat to help manage your home’s temperature more effectively. Set the thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re not home and lower it only when you need cooling. Avoid drastic temperature changes to prevent overworking your system.

3. Upgrade Your HVAC System

Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency HVAC system from Honesty Services. Newer models use less energy and cool more effectively, which can be a long-term cost-saving investment. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated systems for optimal performance and efficiency.

Enhance Your Home’s Insulation

Proper insulation is key to keeping the heat out and the cool air in. Here’s how you can enhance your home’s insulation:

1. Seal Leaks

Check for leaks around doors, windows, and other openings. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal these gaps and prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering, especially during extreme temperatures.

2. Insulate Attics and Walls

Ensure your attic and walls are well-insulated. This helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the load on your HVAC system. Consider adding insulation if your home is older or has insufficient insulation.

3. Install Reflective Barriers

Reflective barriers in the attic can reduce heat gain, keeping your home cooler. These barriers reflect radiant heat instead of absorbing it, which helps maintain a lower indoor temperature.

An Attic Tent is a great product to use for attic doors. It effectively seals and does not allow air into or out of the attic in any extreme temperature situation. Check out more information on the Attic Tent here. At Honesty Services we can educate, purchase and install these for you as well, One Call Does It All. 

Effective Use of Fans and Ventilation

1. Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can significantly enhance your comfort by circulating air and creating a wind-chill effect. Use fans in conjunction with your HVAC system to distribute cool air more effectively. Set the fan to rotate counterclockwise in summer to push cool air down.

2. Exhaust Fans

Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove heat and humidity from your home. This is particularly useful during cooking or after showers when heat and moisture levels can rise.

3. Cross-Ventilation

Create cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home. This allows cooler air to flow through and push out the hot air. Use this technique during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening.

Reduce Heat Gain from Windows During Extreme Heat

Windows can be a significant source of heat gain. Implement these strategies to minimize it:

1. Close Blinds and Curtains

Keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to block out the sun’s heat. Use light-colored or reflective curtains to further reduce heat gain.

2. Apply Window Films

Reflective or tinted window films can reduce the amount of heat that enters your home through windows. These films are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

3. Install Awnings or Shades

Exterior awnings or shades can block direct sunlight before it hits your windows. This can significantly reduce the extreme heat entering your home and help keep it cooler.

Limit Heat-Generating Activities

1. Cook Wisely

Use the stove and oven less frequently during extreme heat. You an utilize the microwave, a slow cooker, or grill outdoors to prepare meals. These methods generate less heat and keep your home cooler.

2. Use Appliances That Typically Create Heat at Night

Run heat-generating appliances like dishwashers and dryers during the cooler parts of the day or at night. This helps reduce the overall heat load in your home.

3. Switch to LED Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs generate more heat compared to LED bulbs. Switching to LED bulbs can reduce the amount of heat generated inside your home and lower energy consumption.

Create a Cool Getaway in Your Home

1. Use Light-Colored Fabrics

Light-colored sheets, curtains, and furniture covers can help keep your home cooler. Dark colors absorb more heat, while light colors reflect it.

2. Set Up a Cooling Station

Create a cooling station with fans, ice packs, and cold drinks. This can be a designated area where family members can cool down quickly.

3. Stay Hydrated

Encourage everyone in the household to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and use cooling towels or misting fans to keep cool.

Professional Help during 

1. Tune-Ups and Check-Ups

A Must: Schedule regular tune-ups and check-ups with a professional HVAC technician from Honesty Services. A tune-up is vital to your HVAC system’s health. It ensures your system is running efficiently and can handle extreme temperatures. You can contact us here!

2. Energy Audit

You could consider getting a professional energy audit to identify areas where your home can improve energy efficiency. This can lead to significant savings and a potentially cooler home.

Some power companies will send you information on your energy usage compared to others. Take a look closely at that next time you get a bill or e-mail to see where you stack up. Get a ahead of extreme temperatures by closing looking at what you could be doing all around your home to combat energy waste.

Conclusion To Keeping Your Home Cool During Extreme Heat

Keeping your home cool during extreme heat is essential for comfort and health. To keep your home comfortable, improve your HVAC system, add insulation, use fans, block heat from windows, limit heat-producing activities, and create cool spaces. Regular maintenance and professional assistance from Honesty Services, serving Rock Hill, SC, and surrounding areas in North Carolina and South Carolina, can further ensure your home stays cool and energy-efficient.

Implement the strategies above to beat the heat and enjoy a cool, comfortable home all summer long.

Contact Honesty Services Today if you’d like to check and make sure your system can handle extreme heat temperatures.

References:

ENERGY STAR. Energy-Efficient Products and Practices. – July 9, 2024.

ATTICE TENT. The Attic Tent.  -July 9th, 2024