Staying Cool in a Humid Piedmont Summer
Short answer: keep filters clean, have the system tuned in spring, keep humidity in the 40 to 50 percent range and don't oversize a replacement. A slightly warmer house with dry air often feels better than a colder, clammy one.
Request an AC technicianSpring tune-up
Clean coils and check refrigerant before the heat arrives.
Filters
Change filters more often during pollen season and summer.
Humidity
Use a hygrometer to see indoor humidity.
Thermostat
Raise it a few degrees when you're away.
Ceiling fans
Fans let you set the thermostat higher.
Shade
Blinds and shade trees cut heat gain.
Attic heat
Insulation and ventilation help keep upstairs rooms cooler.
Bonus rooms
Rooms over garages often need extra airflow or a ductless unit.
Frozen lines
Ice on lines means turn the system off and call.
Drain lines
Flush the condensate line to prevent overflows.
Heat waves
On the hottest days, keep the thermostat steady instead of turning it way down.
Next
See AC repair.
More AC and heating guides
Request an AC technician
An AC blowing warm air in July, a heat pump that won't keep up in January or ducts that leave rooms uneven. Tell us what's going on and we'll pass it to a licensed HVAC contractor, who will call you to set a time and a price.
- AC, heat pumps and furnaces
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AC not cooling or heat pump acting up?
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