Hot Days and Cool Nights: Cooling a Reno Home
Reno summer afternoons can top 95 °F, but the evening temperature can fall by as much as 40 degrees. That swing is a gift if you use it well.
Request an HVAC technicianPre-cool in the morning
Let the AC bring the house down a little in the morning, so it isn't fighting the full afternoon heat from a warm start.
Close up by midday
Shut windows and blinds before the day heats up, especially on the west side.
Open up at night
When the outside air drops below the inside temperature, open windows and use fans to flush heat out.
Whole-house fans
Some homes use a whole-house fan to pull cool night air through. It works well in a dry climate.
Thermostat settings
Raise the setting overnight when windows are open, and let the AC take over again in the morning.
Attic heat
A well-insulated, ventilated attic keeps afternoon heat from pouring through ceilings.
Smoke days
When smoke is in the air, keep windows closed and rely on the AC and a good filter instead.
Shade
Trees, awnings and exterior shades on west walls cut heat gain sharply.
When to get help
If the house never cools even at night, have the system checked.
More
See thermostats.
Second floors
Upstairs bedrooms hold heat longest. A fan in the window at night and closed blinds by day help a lot.
Plan for heat waves
On forecast heat waves, close up early and let the AC start ahead of the hottest hours.
Ceiling fans
Fans let you feel cooler at a higher setting. Switch them off in empty rooms.
Cooking and laundry
Running the oven, dryer and dishwasher in the evening rather than mid-afternoon keeps extra heat out of the house when the AC is busiest.
More air conditioning and heating guides
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