December 21, 2024

How to Stay Cool in Houston

One thing’s for certain: It gets hot in Houston. Sure, we may not see the same triple-digit temperatures as other Texas cities, but when you add in that humidity, you really feel the heat.

You deserve a comfortable living environment, and we can help. For HVAC services in Houston, you can always count on our team.

Often, keeping cool comes down to adjusting behaviors and planning ahead. Below are a few of our favorite ways to stay cool in Houston. Turn to these tips the next time you need to escape the heat.

1. Stay Out of the Sun

The sun shines the hottest throughout the middle of the day—between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this period, the sun’s UV rays are the strongest, and the likelihood of sunburn is greater.

Avoiding outdoor excursions during the hottest hours of the day can help prevent dehydration, heat stroke, and other problems associated with hot weather.

2. Use Room-Darkening Blinds

In many cases, half the battle comes down to limiting the amount of both direct and indirect sunlight entering your home. Blackout curtains or weighty window treatments can keep your home cool before you even flip on the AC.

Take note of the direction your windows face—east- and west-facing windows are the most likely to warm up your home, particularly in the morning and evening. These are prime places to implement this simple solution.

3. Insulate Your Home Around Your Windows

Window leaks and cracks compromise even the most efficient home cooling system. Instead of allowing the problem to thwart your summer, we recommend replacing the seals around your windows—it’s a simple DIY project that you can probably handle on your own.

4. Maintain Your HVAC System Regularly

This includes air filter replacement, yearly inspections, and even testing your system’s internal thermometer for an accurate read-out. An older or poorly maintained unit isn’t able to properly manage your home’s temperature. This might cost you even more in electricity bills, since an outdated system needs to work harder than a more efficient system for the same result.

5. Ventilate Your Home

Airflow can lower the temperature in your home. Fans and air purifiers help, but if it’s too hot to keep your windows open, you might need to lean into your HVAC services—Houston weather takes no prisoners, and letting the hot air in may do you more harm than good. Turn up the AC whenever a heat warning is in effect.

6. Do Yard Work in the Evening

If you need to mow the lawn or garden, make time early in the morning or in the evening. Limit your time spent outside to the coolest temps, especially when working or doing any kind of manual labor.

7. Use Cotton Sheets

While the National Sleep Foundation considers a bedroom temperature of 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit to be ideal for a good night’s rest, that can be hard to achieve during our hot Houston summers.

Can you even tell us what kind of sheets are on your bed right now? Yeah, you don’t care as long as it gets the job done so ditch the fleece, flannel, or silk sheets during the summer. Cotton or linen sheets will keep you cooler because they’re breathable and moisture-absorbent.

8. Use Fans, Coolers, and Heat Pumps

Obviously, your HVAC unit is the first line defense against the Houston heat, but there are other items you can call into service to help take some of the pressure off.

Fans, coolers, and heat pumps are affordable, effective, and relatively easy to install, keeping your home’s temperature manageable with only a modest investment. Any of these solutions can undergird your home’s existing HVAC system, improving its ability to keep you comfortable all summer long.

9. Choose Summer-Friendly Activities

A trip to the pool or your neighborhood water park is the perfect way to escape subpar HVAC services—or, worse: no AC at all! Kids love to swim, but even something as simple as a trip to an indoor mall or Cinemark may provide some relief.

You can also visit Noah’s Ark Pool, take a trip to Galveston Beach, or even walk Houston’s Museum District for cool fun during the summer months.

10. Invest in the Right HVAC Services

Houston is famous for a lot of things, including its summer heat. Your home is your sanctuary, so keeping it safe and comfortable is crucial. That’s why we would love to get in touch about the HVAC services we offer.

Get in Touch with John Moore Services

What’s the best way to find relief from the summer swell? Optimize your HVAC system. Give us a call today for an expert assessment.