Getting Through a Chattanooga Summer
With about 52 days a year at 90 °F or above and humid nights in between, Chattanooga summers test any cooling system. These habits help the AC keep up.
Request an AC technicianShade the west side
Afternoon sun through west windows adds a lot of heat. Blinds, shades or exterior shading help.
Steady settings
Large swings in the thermostat setting make the system play catch-up in the hottest part of the day.
Fan on Auto
Auto lets water drain off the coil between cycles, so the house stays drier.
Change filters
Summer pollen and dust load filters faster. Check them monthly.
Clear the outdoor unit
Keep two feet of space around it and trim plants that crowd it.
Ceiling fans
Fans let you feel cooler at a slightly higher setting. Turn them off in empty rooms.
Watch for warning signs
Longer run times, warm air from some vents or water near the indoor unit mean book a check.
More help
See AC maintenance.
Humid nights
If the house feels sticky at night even with the AC on, the system may be oversized or the ducts leaky. Both are worth checking.
Away from home
Raise the setting a few degrees rather than switching the AC off, so humidity doesn't build up while you're gone.
Attic heat
A hot attic warms the ceilings and the ducts. Good attic insulation and ventilation lower the load on the AC every afternoon.
Cooking and laundry
Running the oven and dryer in the evening rather than mid-afternoon keeps extra heat out of the house at peak times.
Know your system's age
If the AC is well into its second decade, start planning a replacement before it fails in the middle of a heat wave.
More air conditioning and heating guides
AC struggling in Chattanooga?
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