How to Cool That “Hot Room” in Your Florida House or Condo
It’s no wonder the rooms in our household are hot. Florida recently saw record-breaking heat as we wrapped up the state’s hottest first part of the year ever, and this July, a historic heat wave is expected to hit more than two-thirds of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center1.
The “Sunshine State” is infamous for its warm outdoor temperatures and hot summer days, and this year is no exception. But just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you have to compromise your comfort inside your home, too.
That’s why at Air Care, we want to help you keep the outside heat outdoors and the inside cooled air indoors. Read on to uncover our tips to cooling down the hottest rooms of your Clearwater house or condo this season.
Schedule AC Tune Ups
The best way to ensure comfortable rooms in your home is to have a well-maintained HVAC system. At Air Care, we recommend a twice-a-year tune up to check that your system and parts reach their maximum potential and cool your home during the heat of summer.
To learn more about what Florida homeowners and our skilled Clearwater AC technicians can do, read our recent post on preventative AC maintenance or call us today.
Avoid Florida Heat Buildup
To keep your rooms cool, you want to avoid heat buildup throughout your home, especially in rooms that receive more sun.
According to the Department of Energy, window coverings can reduce heat by 77%, while also lowering your energy bills. On hot summer days, be sure to tightly close your windows, exterior doors and shades. Consider installing energy-efficient window treatments – like blinds, shutters, curtains, awnings or window films – to help block out direct sunlight and insulate your room from outdoor heat2. Outside your home you might consider adding an awning or something natural like shade-providing trees by your windows to minimize heat generated from direct sunlight onto your home.
Cooking is a major source of heat, too, and using your oven in the summer can actually make your kitchen and house hotter. (If it already feels warm in your kitchen, turning on your 350-degree oven won’t make it any cooler.) Instead, opt to use an outdoor grill – the perfect FL summer accessory. If you do decide to cook in your kitchen, try using only the stovetop and turn on your exhaust fan or ventilation hood to release heat from the space.
Other household activities, like doing the laundry or bathing, can also affect the temperature of your kitchen and bathroom. Wash your laundry on the cold setting in the early morning or evenings and consider bathing with reduced temperatures during the same times of day. Both activities can benefit from spot ventilation, an energy-efficient way to remove indoor air pollution and moisture from your room. Reach out to our Clearwater AC repair and replacement experts at Air Care to learn more.
Lastly, things like running a dishwasher, keeping lights on, using a computer, and operating appliances in the kitchen (i.e., toast oven) or bathroom (i.e., curling iron) can really heat up the rooms throughout your home. Limit these as much as possible during the Florida summer months to help your rooms feel cooler without compromising comfort. Also, remember to use energy-efficient / modern light bulbs. Regular / older light bulbs can heat up your room as they use a large amount of energy which creates warmth.
Create Air Circulation & Ventilation
Since your AC system works hard to cool air throughout your home, natural ventilation and air circulation are good strategies to help with the process.
In Clearwater, rooms that face East get more sun in the mid-morning, whereas rooms that face the West receive more sun in the afternoon and evening. If the temperature in these rooms are warmer than the outside air, it’s a good sign you need to ventilate that room. First, close the interior door and open your window(s) to release the trapped heat. You can even set up a table fan facing the window to assist blowing out the warm air3. Afterwards, be sure to close your windows tightly to keep the cool air inside.
You can also use circulating fans to move around air in your room. Don’t forget, your ceiling fan should be adjusted seasonally. Set it to run counterclockwise in the summer at a higher speed to increase airflow and create a draft. You can also try table fans, floor fans or wall-mounted fans as alternative4, or consider installing a window or ductless, mini-split AC unit to cool your entire space with little noise and lots of comfort. For more information about installing a Gree ductless system, read this post and contact Air Care.
Your attic and garage usually experience poor ventilation and sometimes have higher temperatures than outside. To help remove hot, stuffy air, consider purchasing a ventilating fan for your garage or attic5. If hot air is trapped in your garage, you can also open the exterior door, garage door and windows to let in a fresh breeze. Releasing the warm and humid air won’t just remove the heat; it can also extend the life of stored items in your space and prevent mold and mildew. Talk with our AC technicians during your next scheduled service for more recommendations.
Minimize Energy Loss
It’s also important to insulate your AC system, windows and doors to keep warm air from entering your home and creating hot pockets of air in certain rooms, which can cause your system to overwork itself.
Air ducts are the most important components for cooling your home. The duct system carries air from your HVAC system to each room, and if air ducts are blocked or poorly sealed, your energy bill costs can soar. To help prevent air leaks and energy loss, seal your ducts, especially in unconditioned spaces like your attic. If you notice more heat releasing from your attic or walls, consider installing more insulation to keep from entering your home6.
Be sure to check that all of your home’s exterior doors – including your front door, sliding glass doors, or door to your garage – are properly insulated from the heat. If your home was built in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a steel or fiberglass door with more insulation.
Home additions and garage conversions are also subject to warm indoor conditions, too, since these spaces usually require a window or ductless, mini-split AC unit to cool the room. Florida sunrooms fall in this category as well, since their large windows let in more light and a sunroom’s proximity to the garage or back of the home often lets in warmer air.
Schedule an appointment with our Air Care professionals to learn how to maintain your AC in between service, prevent energy loss and reduce costs.
A Clearwater AC Repair Company with Cooling Experience
Our Clearwater AC repair experts at Air Care are here for all of your AC system needs and know what it takes to cool and heat your home. If you have more questions about how to cool down your rooms this summer, let us guide you through the process and help you decide the best options for you.
“I want to thank you and your men for helping us with the duct work on our house. We’re convinced that getting that job done before the closing date was what sealed the deal for us. We were feeling very pressured, and your quick response helped us in many ways. We will use Air Care for all our future air conditioning needs, and we will recommend your company to our family and friends.” – Peter Bosio
APPENDIX
[1] CNBC: Oppressive heat approaches U.S. in early July
[2] Energy.gov: Ventilation Systems Cooling
[3] WikiHow: Cool Down a Room
[4] Energy.gov: Fans for Cooling
[5] How to Keep Your Garage Cool in the Florida Heat
[6] Energy.gov: Minimizing Losses Ducts
