Just like you need to keep your house warm in the winter, you also need to keep it cool in the summer. In this move, there are two things especially essential — airing and insulating. One of the ways of preventing extreme heat from getting inside your house this summer is ensuring that your roof, walls, and windows are as tight as possible to keep the heat outside.
An open window facing the direction of the evening or morning sun without curtains or a protective film quickly becomes an actual heating system. Pre-prepare your house for the scorching sun this summer by getting the most reliable air conditioning services from a trusted local team. The cooling services provided by JB3 Heating & Air Conditioning are reliable and affordable. Get in touch.
01Be a fan of the fan
Hot temperatures bring increased energy bills because the AC stays on all day to counter the climb. Luckily, there's a way to keep your home cool and reduce energy costs at the same time: fans. Ceiling fans, standalone fans, and box fans all work — and you can also craft a kind of wind tunnel in your home to push the cool air through.
In simple terms: place one fan on the side of the house that receives the cold breeze, throwing it inward. Then place another fan directly opposite on the other end of the house, facing out, to push the warm air out. A misting fan can also be a good companion in summer — it throws a fine mist of water into the air, and if the air is hot enough and not humid, the mist evaporates and carries the heat with it. Great for patios and living rooms.
02Shade the outside of your windows
Investing in a good shade for your windows that still lets in light while blocking heat is a great DIY HVAC idea. The best approach depends on which direction your windows face — the height and angle of the sun changes by the hour.
South-facing windows receive less heat from the summer sun and typically don't need shading. In fact, they often provide cooling benefits as they shed heat. North-facing windows require more design work — done right, they can give a real cooling effect. Pergolas and eaves shading devices help here. Some have adjustable louvers that let heat in during winter and block it during summer.
East and west-facing windows get the most heat. East faces take the morning sun, west faces take the evening sun. Adjustable external shading — shutters, angled metal slats, blinds, and louvers — gives you the flexibility to block low-angled sun at the right time of day.
03Keep the heat outside in the first place
Another great way to keep your house cool in summer is to keep the heat outside entirely. Insulate your roof — especially if you have bedrooms tucked under the eaves. Insulating walls helps too. It keeps your house warm in cold snaps and cool when the sun is brutal.
Close your windows during the day, then crack them slightly during the night. Daytime closure keeps hot air from getting in. Nighttime opening lets cool air circulate. Switch off electric appliances when they're not in use — they all give off heat. And try to preplan your meals so you don't need to run the oven during the hottest part of the day.
04Install a smart thermostat
The best DIY HVAC move to save on energy bills and keep your house cool is to invest in a reliable thermostat. Devices like Ecobee and Nest intelligently control your AC and can sense your presence in the house, adjusting AC run-time accordingly. They help you tailor when your HVAC unit actually runs — customized start and stop times throughout the day for optimal comfort.
A programmable thermostat lets you set several temperature profiles for the week and forget about it. It also pre-cools the house a few minutes before you get home, so the house is already comfortable when the family walks in. Some smart thermostats pair with your phone for on-the-fly control beyond the programmed settings. We install and service these regularly — see our services list for the full menu.
05Change your air filters — regularly
Invest in a good filter for your central HVAC unit and change it regularly. The air filtration system traps dirt, dust, and debris. If filters get clogged, the HVAC system has to strain to push air through them — which lets dust through anyway and shortens the life of the unit.
Change filters at least twice a year. Not all filters are equal — some are reliable, others don't properly clean the air entering your home. Talk to a professional about the best filter for your specific system. Good filters prevent lint, dust, and debris from clogging cooling and heating coils, and the best ones catch particles as small as 0.1 micron.
The bottom line
Everyone has been there — tossing and turning in bed because the sweat has practically glued you to the sheets. The good news: there's a lot you can do to reduce indoor temperatures during summer. Add cotton sheets, a cool shower before bed, and let your hair dry naturally. Combined with the five DIY moves above, your home stays liveable through the worst weeks.
When the DIY stops being enough — or when your AC is on its last leg — JB3 is here. Schedule a service call, or just give us a ring at (951) 723-0811.