How to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Stay cool this summer—and save money—by addressing these hot spots.

Maintaining the optimal temperature in your home over the summer is no easy feat, because more factors come into play than simply setting the AC to your desired temp. The current state of your windows, HVAC system and insulation all can affect the temperature inside your home.

Hover over the icons on the photo below or watch a video to find out about common problems that keep your house from staying cool, and what you can do about them.

1: It’s humid inside your house.

To stay cool, you have to get rid of humidity. The slower your HVAC system blows cooled air through the house, the more humidity is removed — and that speed depends on the blower motor.

Upgrade to a better blower motor, such as a variable-speed unit, which helps slow down the airflow.

2: Your AC system cycles on and off a lot,

When it comes to HVAC systems, bigger isn’t necessarily better. If the system is too big, it can cause it to turn off and on a lot and won’t remove the right amount of humidity.

Sears technicians can do a calculation to help you find the right size HVAC system for your home.

3: You’re skipping maintenance.

For optimal performance, have a professional inspect your HVAC system every year. Check refrigerant levels, lubricate the oil ports in the blower motor and blower shafts, clean the condenser and evaporator coil, change the filter and make sure the drain line is clear.

4: Drafty windows let heat seep into your home, making your AC work harder and less effectively.

Weather-strip and caulk your windows.

5. Older or inefficient windows can’t keep the heat out.

New energy-efficient windows from Sears can make your home more energy efficient by keeping cool air in and hot air out — and all are ENERGY STAR certified.

6: Your attic access isn’t insulated.

If the access door to your attic isn’t insulated, it’s like having a hole in your ceiling. Check out YouTube for videos about how to insulate that escape hatch for attic heat.

7: Your energy bills are high.

Keep the temperature set as high as you can without being uncomfortable. Use ceiling and floor fans to keep cooled air moving.

8: Bare windows are losing energy.

Close the curtains on windows facing the sun. Consider thermal curtains, which are relatively low-cost energy savers that help keep out the heat.