8 Things You Can Fix Today to Cool Down the House Tomorrow
When it’s hot, your first instinct might be to crank the A/C and hope for the best. But if your house keeps holding onto heat, it’s probably working against itself. The truth is, a lot of homes have small problems that make staying cool way harder than it needs to be.
Luckily, these are quick fixes that don’t cost much and actually make a difference—sometimes overnight.
Your Weather Stripping Is Shot
If the edges of your doors or windows feel drafty, that cool air is leaking right out—and hot air’s sneaking in. It’s an easy thing to overlook, but it works against your A/C all day.
You can fix it fast with some fresh weather stripping or a quick bead of caulk. This alone can help your rooms cool down faster and stay that way longer.
Your Air Filter’s Clogged Up
When your filter’s full of dust, airflow takes a hit. That means your system has to work harder, and the cool air doesn’t make it through the vents like it should.
Pop it out and take a look. If it’s dirty, replace it or clean it off if it’s reusable. You’ll usually notice better airflow within hours.
Your Ceiling Fan’s Spinning the Wrong Way
Your fan should be spinning counterclockwise in summer. If it’s not, it’s just stirring warm air around without helping you feel cooler.
Flip the switch on the base of the fan. You should feel a breeze pushing down. That little change can make a room feel a couple degrees cooler.
Your Curtains Are Letting in Heat
Sunlight streaming through windows looks nice but heats things up fast—especially in the afternoon. Even blinds don’t always block enough.
Use blackout curtains or thermal panels to cut the heat. If you’re in a pinch, even a blanket over the window helps. It makes a big difference in rooms that face the sun.
Your Dryer Vent’s Leaking Heat
Dryers give off a lot of heat, and if the vent’s clogged or loose, it might be blowing hot air back into the house.
Check the vent and clean out any lint. Make sure the flap outside actually closes. It’s a safety fix, but it also helps your house cool off.
Your Attic Hatch Isn’t Sealed
If your attic isn’t sealed right, that heat seeps down into the house. It builds up fast, especially in the afternoon, and your A/C has to fight it nonstop.
Stick some foam board around the hatch or use weather stripping to seal the edges. It’s not a full insulation job—but it helps slow the heat down.
Vents Are Blocked (Even a Little)
Sometimes a rug or a couch corner covers part of a vent, and you don’t think much of it. But blocked vents choke airflow and leave rooms warm.
Walk around and check every vent. Make sure nothing’s blocking them, and the louvers are open. It’s one of the fastest ways to even out temperatures.
You’re Not Using the Exhaust Fans
Those bathroom and kitchen fans do more than clear steam—they pull heat out too. When it’s hot and stale, turning them on helps move that air out instead of letting it settle.
Run the fans after cooking or showering. They won’t cool the whole house, but they give the A/C a hand when it’s struggling.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
