​Ever go outside and your glasses instantly fog over, and your hair frizzes up? Pretty much every day if you live in Houston, right? Our high levels of humidity not only affect our good hair days, but our homes as well.

Ideally, your home’s humidity levels should be between 30-50 percent. When your home’s humidity levels are higher than normal for prolonged periods of time, mold and mildew could settle in and cause health risks. Too little humidity can dry your skin out and even cause problems sleeping.

The easiest ways to determine your home’s humidity level is to look at your thermostat. If you have a smart thermostat, it will read your humidity levels for you. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, consider upgrading to one with dehumidification capabilities.

It’s been a long day. Meetings, running from place to place, a quick workout squeezed in just before arriving in the nick of time to your child’s baseball practice. You did it! You completed the day.

You’re all cleaned up and in your favorite soft jammies just about to hop into freshly washed sheets that are calling your name. You jump into bed, sigh as your body melts into a restful bliss and you drift off…
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Just to wake up a few hours later in a puddle of sweat… great! Maybe it’s your hormones causing the rage of sweat or maybe you just don’t have the right temperature set on your thermostat to promote peaceful sleep?

Our bodies work hard during the night to repair damaged tissues and regenerate cells. You would think that all of this work would cause a raise in our body temperature, similar to how hot you feel when you work out. But our bodies actually experience a slight dip in core temperature as it gets later in the evening. Ever been watching your favorite show on the couch and reach for the throw, suddenly feeling a little chilled? That is your body preparing you for bed.
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When you finally hit the hay your body temperature can be 1 to 2 degrees lower than in the daytime. Losing heat actually helps you stay asleep. As the dreaded alarm clock approaches, your body temperature naturally starts to rise to prepare for waking up. 

If your air conditioner has ever gone out on a summer night, you know firsthand that sleeping in a hot, stuffy room is not a fun situation to be in. The warmer the room, the harder it is for your body to regulate temperature which can cause fatigue; aka when you feel tired and want to sleep but just toss and turn instead.
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Being overheated will also cause less time spent in REM sleep, which is the deepest and most restorative sleep. Less time in REM sleep will cause grogginess the next day and can negatively impact bodily recovery and the immune system, as well as learning, memory, and other processes. (1)

​The ideal sleeping temperature for your home is a lot cooler than you might think. According to most doctors, 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius) is an ideal sleeping temperature, with a range of 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) being considered acceptable for the most productive sleep.

1. Take a hot bath an hour or two before bedtime to encourage a natural cool down effect
2. Turn your fan on and keep your bedroom doors open to increase circulation
3. Make sure all your HVAC vents are fully open to keep airflow moving and your HVAC system running efficiently
4. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically cool to your desired temperature at night so you don’t have to think about setting it
5. Move downstairs to sleep during the hotter months

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If you need help keeping your home comfortable at night, that is what we are here for. Call us at 281-356-8564 and you’ll be on your way to more peaceful sleep in no time… and we ALL need that!

​Your AC works hard to keep you comfortable during hot summer days. These tips will make your AC more efficient and keep your home feeling good all summer long (and here in Texas, you know we are talking through December). 

1. Have a professional come out to do a spring maintenance check before it gets hot. This will ensure your AC system is tuned up and ready to perform wonders all summer long. Regular maintenance also helps to:

• Increase the life expectancy of your system.
• Ensure your HVAC system is running at optimal efficiency and lowers the cost of your energy bills.
• Reveal potential problems before they get worse.

2. Program your thermostat. The less your air conditioner is in use, the less wear and tear it endures and the longer it can last! If you have a programmable thermostat, setting the temperature by day and time is a great way to reduce the unit’s overall usage. Some people think turning their unit off completely while away will result in more energy savings, but this is not true. 

We recommend setting the temperature higher during the time you are away and lower during the time you are home. A few degrees higher than your desired indoor temperature is a good general temperature to set for most homes when you are away.
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Don’t have a programmable thermostat? We highly recommend getting one! You’ll save money in the long run. 

 4. Change your air filters. Changing out your HVAC unit’s air filter is a simple process that many of us don’t do as often as we should. Around every 90 days you should replace your filter to help maintain good air flow and help keep particles and allergens out of the air you breathe.

If you have multiple pets in the home or your air conditioning unit is working harder, like in the summer, you may want to replace your filter sooner than 90 days.

5. Turn off exhaust fans. After cooking or bathing, turn off your exhaust fans once they have been running about 20 minutes. If you ever need to replace your exhaust fans consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise options. Never leave exhaust fans running for long periods of time as it can become a fire hazard. 

5. Draw the curtains. During the hottest part of the day or times when the sun is shining in your home’s windows, keep your blinds closed and shades drawn. This will help keep your home’s interior temperature from rising and keep your AC from running harder than it needs to. Additionally, planting large shade trees or installing awnings on your home with also help to diffuse the sun’s intense heat. 

6. Turn on a fan. If you feel the afternoon heat creeping in, don’t turn down the thermostat just yet. Try turning a ceiling fan on first. This will help to circulate the air and instantly cool you down without making your AC unit run harder. 

7. Check your attic insulation. If you have an older home that is not energy efficient you may want to get your attic inspected to see if you need additional blown in attic insulation. The smaller particles of blown insulation fit tightly in all the nooks and crannies of your attic which provides a superior seal, preventing hot or cold air from entering your home.

8. Upgrade your AC unit. If you are looking to replace your AC unit, consider energy-efficient equipment for the best cost savings long term. Ask your HVAC professional about 2-stage or variable speed options.

If your AC unit still can’t keep up it might be time to get it professionally inspected. A Certified HVAC Technician can easily identify and often fix cooling problems on the spot.
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Country Air provides 24/7 AC service. Give us a call at 281-356-8564 and let us earn your trust.