Keeping Your Home Cool While Hosting Summer BBQs

When the grill heats up and friends gather in the backyard, there’s nothing better than a summer BBQ, that is until your house starts to feel like the inside of your oven. Between opening doors, foot traffic, and outdoor heat sneaking in, your AC may work overtime just to keep up.

But don’t sweat it. With a few smart tricks, you can enjoy your cookout without roasting your guests or your energy bill.

Keep the Cool Air Inside

Limit how often doors are opened, especially garage or sliding patio doors. The more warm air that rushes in, the harder your AC has to work. Set up your food and drinks station outside if possible to reduce traffic indoors.

Use Your Thermostat’s Auto Fan Setting

If your thermostat has a “circulate” or “auto” fan setting, use it to keep air moving without constantly triggering the compressor. It’ll help distribute cool air more evenly without extra wear and tear on your system. This can also help your air conditioner recover after the party ends.

Pre-Cool Early

If you know guests are coming by 3 PM, don’t wait until then to start cooling your home. Lower the temp by 2–3 degrees about an hour before guests arrive to stay ahead of the heat curve.

Close Blinds on Sunny Windows

Sunlight pouring through windows can spike indoor temps fast. Keep blinds or curtains closed on east and west facing windows during peak sun hours to give your AC a break.

Bonus Tip: Skip the Indoor Oven

Using your oven can raise indoor temps by 5–10°F! Try to keep all the cooking outdoors to prevent your oven from cooking your home.

Stay Cool All Summer with Art’s Heating & Cooling

We’re here to keep your home comfortable. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just enjoying a quiet summer night in. If your AC is acting up, or you’d like a second opinion on a major repair, give us a call.

Free Second Opinion promotion EXTENDED by popular demand! Give us a call or fill out our online form if you've already been quoted for a major repair or replacement and we'll provide you peace of mind!

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Featured Testimonial

December 2025 our furnace stopped working. I found Art of Comfort on Yelp and called for a diagnostic appt. I went through the automated system by phone and an appt was scheduled the coming Monday - fast. I don't like automated systems and this system was unlike the others for cable, healthcare, etc., this one actually WORKED on every single thing the first time! I usually have negative sentiment towards a company after using their poorly designed automated system, not this one - I had positive sentiment. I got the text confirmation immediately. In the coming days I received the expected and timely reminder, and "heads-up on the way." David showed up in the arrival time window professionally and wore booties over his boots inside our house. David assessed the error code, confirmed the issue, focused on safety and then gave me the bad news. First, it was going to be expensive - an induction motor replacement. Second, though it was going to be expensive, he didn't recommend I hire him. He thought I'd get better (faster, more efficient, happy) service for my brand of furnace by working with an authorized factory service company, given that it was this particular manufacturer. Apparently, if he called in for part availability, it's a job he certainly can do, that's not the issue, the company would be slow to respond to him because he's not an authorized service company for my brand - YET. He is for another brand, just not mine - YET. This would add friction to the process, to the point of not accepting as credible the assessment (we had a code, mind you) of an experienced HVAC pro. He didn't want me to go through this. It wouldn't make me happy and it's possible it would just delay - without heat in winter - the inevitable of having to go the authorized service route in the end anyway. I will say that using Yelp I found an authorized company I liked. (I called two companies, the first one was in town and a mile away and I was not impressed. The next was a couple cities over and I used them.)I was not charged for the diagnosis. THIS IS LONG TERM THINKING AND TRUE, OLD-SCHOOL CUSTOMER SERVICE!I not only recommend Art of Comfort though I did not have more than the diagnostic piece done, I have saved their number for the future and will share it with friends and neighbors. Our house has two separate furnace / AC systems. I had them installed new in 2006. Something is bound to go wrong after 19 years and I have David and Art of Comfort on speed dial. Thank you David!