How To Keep Your House Cool in Sweltering Months

When it is 95 degrees or hotter outside, your central air conditioning will probably run non stop and the indoor temperature may rise. Why? The design conditions used in the original heat load calculation (if the hvac contractor performed a heat load, most “guestimate” based on square footage from previous homes in your neighborhood) was based on 95 degrees being the maximum outdoor temperature. The tonnage or Btu size of your AC was determined by the heat load calculation, 1.5 – 5 tons, for residential design. The air conditioners ability to remove moisture and heat from the air is maxed out after the design temperature of 95 degrees is reached. What can you do about it? Nothing short of closing blinds/drapes, turning off lights, don’t use the oven or range, keep the doors closed, make sure your air filter is clean and your AC has been cleaned and serviced. Don’t close supply grills in rooms or lower your thermostat to 50 degrees as this will cause the unit to freeze up when the AC “catches up” and the outdoor temperature goes down. The lowest thermostat setting is 68-70 degrees which can cause some AC units to freeze up. Oh, one more helpful hint… don’t talk about your air conditioning cause it can hear you and may wig out to spite you.