July in Rhode Island can be genuinely brutal. Temperatures pushing into the 90s, humidity that makes 85 degrees feel like 95, and nights that barely cool off before the next scorching day starts. When a heat wave settles in for several days, even a well-running air conditioner gets pushed to its limits. Here’s how to help your system along and keep the house livable without running up an enormous electric bill.
Keep the Heat Out Before It Gets In
The single most effective thing you can do is keep solar heat from entering the house in the first place. Close blinds and curtains on south and west-facing windows during the hottest part of the day. Blackout curtains make a real difference. A window that lets direct sunlight in is essentially a space heater pointed at your living room, and no amount of air conditioning will undo it as fast as that heat comes in.
Run Heat-Producing Appliances at Night
The dishwasher, clothes dryer, and oven all dump heat into your home. During a heat wave, try to run them in the early morning or after the sun goes down. Cooking outside on the grill is another solid move. Even the heat from a laptop or a cluster of old incandescent bulbs adds up when the house is already working hard to stay cool.
Set the Thermostat Strategically
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home during hot weather. That’s warmer than most people prefer, but for every degree you raise the thermostat above 72, you reduce your cooling costs by a meaningful amount. Ceiling fans help a lot here. They don’t actually cool the air, but they make 78 degrees feel several degrees cooler by moving air across your skin.
Make sure your ceiling fans are spinning counterclockwise in summer. That setting pushes air straight down, creating the wind-chill effect you want. The switch is usually a small toggle on the fan motor housing.
Don’t Close Vents in Unused Rooms
It seems logical to close vents in rooms you’re not using to redirect cool air elsewhere, but it actually works against you. Central air conditioning systems are designed for a specific amount of airflow. Closing vents increases pressure in the ductwork, which stresses the blower and can cause the system to freeze up or lose efficiency. Leave them open.
Give the Outdoor Unit Some Breathing Room
The condenser outside needs to push heat away from itself to function properly. Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around the unit and that nothing is blocking the top. If the unit is in direct afternoon sun, a bit of shade from landscaping (not blocking airflow) can help it run slightly more efficiently.
Know When to Call for Help
If your system is struggling to hit temperature even with all of these measures in place, it may be time for a service call. Heat wave conditions are exactly when a system that’s low on refrigerant, has a dirty coil, or is running with a failing component will fall completely behind. Don’t wait until you’re dealing with a no-cool emergency in the peak of July heat. McKee Brothers offers prompt service to homeowners throughout the Cumberland area and surrounding communities. Call us at 401-723-1100 if you need us.