Hot summer weather can push even a well-maintained air conditioner to the edge. As temperatures in Pella continue to increase, it’s common to notice higher energy bills, hot spots throughout the home and cooling systems that seem to run all day without keeping up. 

It’s easy to assume the air conditioner is the only thing that affects how comfortable your home feels. In reality, your home’s airflow, insulation and shade all play an important role in cooling performance.  

This guide highlights three effective strategies that can improve comfort and cooling efficiency: improving airflow in your home, making sure your home has proper insulation and adding shade to reduce heat from the sun. By following these summer AC tips from the pros at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, you’ll keep your house cool in summer. 

Start with Airflow: Make Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently 

AC units cool the air and distribute it through ductwork to every room in your home. For that cooled air to keep your home comfortable, it must be able to move freely throughout your house. Whenever airflow is restricted, some rooms may feel warmer than others. 

It’s common for homeowners to blame their AC for poor cooling performance. However, the AC is often working fine—the real problem is limited airflow. A clogged air filter, blocked vents and other HVAC issues can all limit airflow. 

Home Airflow Optimization Checklist 

Taking these easy steps to boost airflow in your home can improve comfort, lower strain on your AC and decrease energy costs. 

  • Replace dirty air filters. Regular AC air filter replacement helps your HVAC system increase airflow while helping improve indoor air quality. 
  • Makesure supply and return vents are free from obstructions. Furniture, rugs and curtains can create blocked air vents that keep cooled air from circulating throughout your home. 
  • Openinterior doors. Doing so 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. As part of a professional HVAC tune-up, a technician can check and clean dirty blower components that may reduce your system’s ability to circulate air. 

Insulation Is More Important Than You Might Expect 

Insulation provides 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 increases comfort, reduces cooling run times and can help extend the life of your HVAC system. 

The attic is one of the largest sources of solar heat gain during heatwaves. Proper attic insulation and cooling work together because attic insulation limits heat transfer through the roof. Weatherstripping and sealing around doors and windows also help stop hot outdoor air from sneaking inside. 

When insulation levels are too low or air leaks allow hot air to sneak inside, your air conditioner has to work harder. As a result, many homeowners ask, “Why is my house hot with the AC running?” Frequently, home insulation levels—not the air conditioner—are the problem. 

Signs of Low Home Insulation Levels 

  • Warmsecond-floor rooms 
  • Inconsistent room temperatures 
  • High utilitybills 
  • An air conditioner that rarely shuts off 

Use Shade to Help Lower Cooling Costs 

Sunlight coming through windows and heating up your roof and exterior walls boosts indoor temperatures, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. 

Direct sunlight can also affect your outdoor cooling unit by reducing its ability to release heat efficiently. Adding shade around your property can minimize 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 restrict airflow around the condenser. Don’t install fences, enclosures or dense landscaping that block air movement. 

5 Summer AC Tips for Using Shade to Cool Your Home 

  1. Plan trees and landscaping strategically. Use trees to shade your roof, walls, windows and outdoor AC 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. 
  2. Add window coverings. Light-colored curtains, cellular shades and thermal drapes limit heat gain from sun streaming through windows. 
  3. Install solar screens in your home. Solar screens, which are specially designed mesh curtains, used on sun-facing windows help limit the sun’s heat while still providing natural light. 
  4. Strategically use outdoor shade. Use landscaping and design features such as awnings, pergolas, shade sails or exterior shutters to stop direct sunlight off windows before it enters your home. 
  5. Keep blinds closed during high heat. Leave blinds or shades closed on west- and south-facing windows during the hottest part of the day to help reduce indoor temperatures and lighten the load on your air conditioning system. 

Additional Heat-Wave Survival Tips 

Airflow, insulation and shade all make a big difference, but these AC efficiency tips can help improve comfort during intense summer heat. 

  • Adjust ceiling fan direction. Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise to produce a cooling breeze. 
  • Avoid heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Run ovens, dryers and dishwashers in the morning or evening to reduce indoor heat. 
  • Set thermostat settings. Trytoavoid frequent temperature changes that make your AC to work harder. 
  • Schedule preventative maintenance. Routine service helps your system run efficiently before peak cooling season.
  • Monitor unusual system performance. Address strange noises, weak airflow or inconsistent cooling before they become larger repairs. 

Know When It’s Time to Call an HVAC Professional 

At-home AC maintenance and energy-efficient cooling strategies can help, but some problems need professional attention. If warm air is coming from your vents, airflow feels weak, your air conditioner seems to run constantly, energy bills spike, rooms cool unevenly or your system turns on and off repeatedly, it’s a good idea to schedule an expert evaluation. 

At Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, our cooling specialists evaluate airflow, duct performance, insulation-related comfort concerns and overall system health to pinpoint the underlying cause to help your HVAC system operate at its best throughout the summer. 

Enjoy Reliable Cooling All Summer Long 

Keeping your home cool during a heat wave requires more than just your AC. Proper airflow, adequate insulation and strategic shade work together to improve comfort, boost efficiency and reduce cooling costs. When paired with regular summer HVAC maintenance, these strategies can help your system operate at its best when you need it most. 

has the training 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, our team can help boost efficiency and comfort during hot summers. Schedule cooling services online or call today to get started. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooling Your Home in Summer 

If your home is hot even though your AC is running, the problem isn’t always your air conditioner. Limited airflow, too little insulation, incorrect thermostat settings or HVAC system issues can all affect cooling performance and prevent cool air from reaching every room.

It can. Trees, landscaping, awnings and window coverings help reduce solar heat gain, helping your home remain cooler. Reducing the amount of heat entering your home means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. That saves energy, which can lower your cooling expenses.

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 type of filter, pets, allergies and how frequently your air conditioner runs.

Yes. Proper home insulation reduces heat transfer into your home, reducing strain on your air conditioner. Ensuring your home has appropriate insulation levels, especially in your attic or around windows, helps maintain more consistent indoor temperatures while reducing energy.

No. You should never cover your outdoor air conditioning unit while it’s operating because the condenser needs unobstructed airflow to release heat. Providing shade for your outdoor AC unit is a good idea, but always make sure there’s at least 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet above it to allow proper airflow.

For many homes, setting the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home offers a good balance of comfort and energy efficiency during hot summer weather. Use the highest temperature that keeps you comfortable, and avoid large thermostat adjustments that force your AC to work harder.