How to Keep Your Home Cool in the Peak of Summer

We know the Midwest can be downright brutal during the hot summer months. And even when fall officially begins in KC, we still have weeks of uncomfortable temperatures that sometimes last till mid-October.

Here are some ideas for keeping your home cool during those unbearable summer months.

Cover your east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon (or all of your windows if your home is unoccupied during the day). 

You may even utilize heavy blackout curtains if you have old, drafty windows.

Remember to cover those privacy windows in the bathroom. Even though people can't see through them, the sunlight streaming in can certainly heat up your room.

Your plants may not like this cool home strategy, but the people in your house will be able to sleep better in this cool, comfortable environment. 

You can bump up your thermostat if you utilize ceiling fans. Make sure they are rotating in the correct direction. Ceiling fans in the Midwest should rotate counterclockwise during the summer.

Avoid using major appliances during the heat of the day.

Your oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer use heat to cook your food, sanitize your dishes, and dry your clothes. Don't let them heat up the air temperature in your house too. Avoid using these appliances during the hottest part of the day. 

Some appliances allow you to schedule their usage to early in the morning. If you are not an early riser, you might want to figure out how to use those settings.

Consider replacing your windows if yours are old and leaky. Energy-efficient windows with low-E glass can keep your air conditioner from having to work so hard during the summer. 

Your dad was right. Leaving your door open in the summer means you are "spending your hard-earned money cooling the outdoors." Keep the door closed to keep your house cooler. 

If your AC struggles to keep up during July, August, and September, schedule a maintenance appointment with your local HVAC company. Schomburg Heating and Cooling is an excellent choice for those living in KC. 

If you own a home in the Kansas City Northland, consider joining the Schomburg Comfort Club. Our technicians will visit twice a year. During our visit in the late spring, we will complete the following:

• Check and replace air filters
• Inspect voltage and amperage to all motors on your AC unit
• Verify refrigerant charge is adequate and look for possible leaks
• Check belts and adjust the tension
• Lubricate all necessary parts
• Verify that the condensation drain is in the correct position
• Clean and adjust the thermostat
• Check all wiring for loose connections
• Test evaporator superheat

We will look at the inside and outside unit – and answer any questions you have about air quality.

Contact Schomburg Heating and Cooling today to schedule your AC maintenance appointment. We work on all makes and models.