Beat the Heat: 7 Ways to Keep Your Home Cooler

When summer temperatures climb into the upper 80s and 90s (or beyond), most of us rush to the thermostat for relief. Relying too heavily on it can drive up your energy bills and shorten your system’s lifespan.

At D&R Heating and Cooling, we believe in helping homeowners stay comfortable and efficient. That’s why we’ve put together these 7 homeowner-friendly tips to help you keep cool.

1. Filter Out Direct Sunlight

One of the easiest ways to reduce indoor heat is by managing sunlight. During the peak heat hours (typically 12 PM–4 PM), keep blinds or curtains closed—especially on windows that face south or west.
Bonus points for installing blackout curtains or thermal shades, which can block a surprising amount of heat and UV rays.

2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

If you’re still using a traditional thermostat, upgrading to a smart one is a game-changer. Smart thermostats can learn your schedule and adjust your home’s temperature automatically. You can program it to use less energy while you’re away and cool things down before you walk through the door. That adds up to comfort, savings, and less wear on your system.

3. Use Ceiling Fans Wisely

Ceiling fans don’t cool the air—but they do make you feel cooler by creating a breeze across your skin. Set your fans to spin counterclockwise in the summer to push air downward. This can make it feel up to 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to bump the thermostat up without sacrificing comfort.

4. Consider a Whole-Home Humidifier

Humidity control isn’t just for winter. When your home has balanced humidity, your cooling system works more efficiently, and the air feels more comfortable. A whole-home humidifier can help maintain ideal levels year-round, making your home less sticky in summer and more breathable in winter.

5. Improve Your Insulation

Insulation isn’t just about staying warm in the winter; it also keeps unwanted heat out in the summer. Poorly insulated attics, crawl spaces, or walls can cause cool air to leak and hot air to seep in. A small investment in insulation upgrades can lead to big savings and more consistent indoor temperatures.

6. Seal Those Air Leaks

Even the best AC system can’t compete with air leaks around doors, windows, and ducts. Drafty spots allow cool air to escape and hot air to enter, making your system work harder than it should. Walk through your home and check for gaps. Weatherstripping, door sweeps, and caulk are simple, affordable solutions.

7. Use Exhaust Fans the Right Way

Your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans do more than remove smoke and moisture—they also pull out excess heat. Run them while cooking or showering to reduce the amount of hot, humid air that lingers in your home. Just be sure to turn them off when you’re done, as they can also pull conditioned air out if left running too long.

No matter how many efficiency tricks you use, your system still needs regular care. Scheduling routine HVAC maintenance is the smartest way to keep your system running at peak performance, catching small issues before they become costly breakdowns.

Don’t wait for the heat to win. Contact D&R Heating and Cooling today to schedule your seasonal maintenance and keep your home cool, comfortable, and efficient all summer long.

(304) 489-2999| dandrhvac.com