6 Ways to Cool Down a Hot Room

Every home seems to have one – that one room or area that’s noticeably hotter than the rest of the house, sometimes unbearably so. Sure, you can try an oscillating fan, noisy window air conditioner, or simply ignore the room until cooler temps roll around. But wouldn’t you prefer a better, more permanent solution?

Whether it’s a converted attic, room addition, or garage workshop, here are 6 clever ways to cool down just about any hot room in your home.

  1. Add natural shade.

Thoughtfully planned and designed landscaping not only boosts curb appeal, it also can help cool your home. Strategically planted shrubs, trees, and trelliswork can deflect the sun while beautifying the exterior of your property.

  1. Give awnings a try.

It may take a while for those trees and shrubs to grow, so in the meantime, consider installing window awnings. Design styles have come a long way from those at your grandma’s house and can reduce heat gain by almost 75 percent. This takes stress off your central air which can extend system life and reduce untimely repair costs.

  1. Keep blinds and shades closed.

Want to reduce solar heat gain for free and while barely lifting a finger? Simply close curtains, blinds, and shades on sun-facing windows. Or for just a few bucks per window, install reflective heat-control window film. Available at most home improvement stores, it limits the amount of heat that passes through a window and into your living space.

  1. Turn to fans.

Run ceiling fans counterclockwise to push cool air down toward the floor where you need it. On days or nights with relatively low humidity, position a box fan to blow toward an open window on the upper floor of your home. Then position another one on the lower level to blow inward.

  1. Schedule annual AC maintenance.

If a room or area of your home is consistently warmer than anywhere else, the culprit may be your central air system.  Leaky ductwork, an improperly sized system, or lack of air vents or returns can cause hot spots throughout a home. Have your central air system inspected by a licensed HVAC technician to pinpoint and remedy the problem.

  1. Consider installing a ductless system.

For those areas where adding or extending central air is not possible due to a homes’ design or budgetary restrictions, a ductless system can provide the cooling comfort you desire.  Ductless systems are non-intrusive, whisper quiet, and easy to install – the perfect solution for converted garages, finished attics, three-season porches, and any area that can benefit from additional cooling.

Hot rooms don’t have to be a fact of life. Whether it’s annual preventive maintenance, AC repair, or new system installation, the home comfort specialists at Optimum Air are ready to cool things down and to your complete satisfaction. Contact us today for a free home inspection and upgrade proposal.