How to Keep Sun-Facing Rooms Cool: Preventing Heat Buildup and Staying Comfortable

For homeowners in Grants Pass and Medford, figuring out how to keep sun-facing rooms cool is a constant challenge. West- and south-facing rooms are especially known for trapping heat in the summer, making them uncomfortably warm and frequently unusable.

If your AC is struggling to cool these rooms, it can also impact your energy costs and your system’s lifespan. By learning how to prevent heat buildup in your sun-facing rooms, you can improve your family’s comfort, maximize your energy savings, and ensure your system’s longevity.

Best Tips for Keeping Your Sun-Facing Rooms Cool in Medford and Grants Pass

From installing a whole-house fan to adding insulation, there are multiple techniques you can use for cooling sun-facing rooms. If you’re struggling to figure out the most energy-efficient cooling for your home, contact our team today for a professional energy audit.

1. Use Thermal Curtains or Reflective Window Film

By installing window treatments for heat, you can decrease the amount of electricity your home uses. For example, cellular shades can lower the amount of solar heat entering your home by 60% during the summer. Even adding curtains with a white backing can lower your energy gains by 33%.

Window films are easy to apply and can also lower your energy costs in the summer. They reduce ultraviolet exposure and solar heat by blocking the rays of sunshine. Unlike curtains, window films don’t block your view because they are available in transparent options. Typically, they contain an adhesive layer, scratch-resistant coating, and polyester film layer.

2. Install Smart or Programmable Thermostats

Another way to improve your energy efficiency and comfort is by getting a smart or programmable thermostat installed. With a smart thermostat, you can install sensors in different rooms so that each room gets the amount of cooling it needs. Smart thermostats are also designed to sense when there is direct sunlight on the temperature sensor, so the reading can be accurate.

Plus, a smart thermostat can tell when occupants are present. This allows it to adjust the temperature setting to a warmer level if no one is in the room. Through smart HVAC upgrades for hot rooms, you can decrease your energy consumption.

3. Add Insulation or Air Sealing to Problem Rooms

For a room to cool off or warm up, heat has to be transferred. If your sun-facing room is constantly warmer than other spaces, it is because excess heat is coming into the room. While window films, shades, and thermal curtains can block this heat, some of it may be entering through your walls as well.

To prevent heat transfer, consider replacing the insulation in your walls. One way to determine the correct insulation is by looking at the R-value. This figure represents how effective insulation is at stopping heat transfer. A higher R-value means the insulation is better at stopping heat from getting into your home.

Based on its climate, Grants Pass and Medford homes should have the following minimum R-values.

• Uninsulated Attic: R60
• Already Insulated Attic: R49 
• Floor: R30
• Uninsulated Walls: R5 to R10 wall sheathing
• Already Insulated Walls: R10 wall sheathing
• Basement or Crawlspace Walls: R19 batt or R15 insulative wall sheathing 

4. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient HVAC

If you’re struggling with how to keep sun-facing rooms cool, we can help. With an energy-efficient HVAC unit, you can achieve a high performance level with reduced energy consumption.

To determine the best sunroom cooling solutions, start by checking out the HVAC unit’s SEER2 rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient it will be at cooling your home. In Oregon, central ACs should have a SEER2 of 13.4. Heat pumps need a SEER2 rating of 14.3.

For help determining the best HVAC system for your home, visit our website today. One of our Rogue Valley HVAC professionals can determine the ideal AC size and efficiency rating for your home’s layout.

5. Use Ceiling or Oscillating Fans Strategically

To prevent heat buildup and keep your room cool, try installing a ceiling fan or buying an oscillating fan. These fans help to circulate air, helping you to feel cooler.

For the best results, you should make sure that your ceiling fan is spinning in a counterclockwise direction during the summertime. This pushes air downward, creating a wind-chill effect. As a result, the ceiling fan will help you feel cooler, even if the room remains warm.

Plus, a ceiling fan can lower your energy costs. By raising your thermostat two degrees and using your ceiling fan, you can reduce your cooling costs by 14%. If you install an ENERGY STAR-certified fan, you can save as much as 60% more than you can with a traditional ceiling fan.

6. Consider a Ductless Mini-Split for Zoning

When a room stays hot even with the AC on, you may want to get a ductless mini-split for that specific room. A ductless mini-split revolves around the same idea as a heat pump. Depending on the season, these heat pump mini-splits can transfer heat indoors or outdoors with the help of refrigerant.

Unlike a heat pump, ductless mini-splits don’t rely on ductwork. Because of this, they are an excellent choice for homes that don’t already have existing ductwork installed.

Ductless mini-splits can be installed in a single zone, allowing you to easily set and change the temperature in a specific space. You can also easily switch them off for spaces, like offices or guest rooms, that aren’t used all the time. If you’re struggling to get a specific room to cool off, there may be an energy-efficient, convenient way to do so.

7. Check Ductwork for Airflow Issues

Around 20% to 30% of conditioned air that moves through a home’s cooling system ends up getting lost in its ductwork. Over time, pinpoint holes, gaps, and tears can develop that allow hot and cold air to escape.

This type of problem isn’t just a comfort issue. Eventually, it can cause costly repairs and replacements for your HVAC system. If your ductwork is losing a lot of cool air, your AC will have to run extra to cool your home. This can lead to added wear and repairs that eat into your family’s budget.

Fortunately, our Rogue Valley HVAC professionals can help you inspect and repair your ductwork. We can seal leaks and replace especially problematic ductwork, so you can enjoy a better level of energy efficiency.

During a maintenance inspection, we can also check for other sources of airflow issues. Dirty air filters, blocked vents, and dirty evaporator coils can all prevent your airflow from reaching and cooling each room.

To fix these issues, start by checking your air filter. Ideally, this filter should be changed every 30 to 90 days, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. Then, check to make sure your vents aren’t closed or blocked by furniture.

If dirty coils are the problem, call one of our HVAC technicians for help. We can clean your evaporator coils and condenser coils, ensuring your AC is functioning as efficiently as possible.

8. Add Exterior Shade: Awnings, Trees, Solar Screens

Sometimes, the most energy-efficient cooling option is also the most effective. If your sunny room stays hot even with the AC on, it may be time to think outside the box about blocking the sunshine. Instead of adding window films, use trees, awnings, and solar screens to prevent solar heat from getting into your home.

Trees can take time to grow, so you may want to start by using an awning or solar screen while you wait for the tree to grow taller. These alternative options for shade can block the sun from warming the room’s walls and windows, helping you reduce your energy consumption. 

9. Whole-House Fan or Attic Ventilation Options

One of the most effective HVAC upgrades for hot rooms is a whole-house fan. The fan is installed inside your attic. During the coolest part of the day, you simply have to open your windows to let cool air in. Then, the fan pulls this air upward and into the attic.

By pulling cool air into your home, the whole-house fan helps to circulate air and cool your home. Besides reducing stagnant air in your attic, this also has a cooling effect on sun-facing rooms and the rest of your home. As an added benefit, whole-house fans are known for being incredibly energy efficient, so you can enjoy a cooler home at a low cost.

Alternatively, you can use attic ventilation to cool your house. These ventilation systems are typically designed using attic fans and soffit vents under your eaves. The attic fans push hot air out of your attic. When this happens, it naturally creates a negative pressure in your home that pulls cooler air in through the soffit vents. By lowering the attic temperature, you can reduce the AC’s workload, save money on energy costs, and enjoy a more comfortable home.

10. Schedule an HVAC Inspection – System Might Be Undersized

If you are still struggling to figure out how to keep sun-facing rooms cold, it may be time to get the professionals involved. You may have an underlying problem, such as an undersized or faulty AC. During a routine AC inspection, we can check for signs of wear, lubricate moving parts, clean the AC, and report any potential repair problems we happen to find.

Besides making sure your AC is in working order, we’ll also see if you have the right AC size for your home. An undersized air conditioner will struggle to achieve the right temperature. It may run nonstop to try to keep up. In addition to leading to overly hot rooms, this problem can also cause premature breakdowns and repairs.

Once one of our HVAC technicians has calculated the ideal AC size for your home, we can determine which type and manufacturer is the best option for your needs. After we arrive for your installation, it generally takes us just four to eight hours to completely install a new air conditioning unit.

Sun-Facing Room Problems in Grants Pass? You’re Not Alone

Summers in Medford tend to be warm and dry, with temperatures around 94°F. Each year, there are about 15 days when temperatures top 100°F. In Grants Pass, the average high in July is 90°F. When temperatures are over 90°, you can’t afford to have a nonfunctional HVAC system or an overly hot room.

Often, older homes in Grants Pass don’t have the right insulation or AC zoning. One of our HVAC technicians can conduct a thorough evaluation of your system to see what the best path forward will be. People turn to us for a variety of reasons.

• Emergency Services: When your air conditioner stops working, you need someone you can count on. We offer 24/7 emergency services, so you can immediately access the repairs you need.
• Trusted Advisors: We’ve spent years working with Medford and Rogue Valley residents, so we know exactly what homeowners need to stay comfortable.
• Problem Solvers: At heart, we are a team of problem solvers. No matter how big or small your HVAC issue is, we’re determined to find a solution.
• Customers for Life: Our goal is to keep each customer for life, which is why we are committed to providing the best service possible.

Need Help Keeping a Room Cool? Rogue Valley Heating & Air Has You Covered

At Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling, & Electrical, we can help with all of your HVAC needs. Our team has experience with central AC, heat pump, and mini-split installation. We can inspect, repair, and maintain your existing units, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected breakdowns or malfunctions.

Besides AC services in Grants Pass, we can also help with smart thermostats and other home energy efficiency upgrades. Whether you need HVAC upgrades for hot rooms or a new heat pump mini-split, we have the equipment, availability, and know-how you need. If you’re struggling with how to keep sun-facing rooms cool, our team of HVAC technicians can help.

Are you tired of having an unwanted sauna in your sun-facing room? We can fix that. Book a cooling assessment today in Grants Pass!