Why is My Apartment so Hot?

You Live on the Top Floor

As we all know, heat tends to rise. That’s why living on the top floor of an apartment building can lead to higher average temperatures inside your space. While this is desirable when it’s cold outside, it can be a real issue during the summer months. 

The other reason that a top floor apartment can be hotter is that it sits directly underneath the roof, which is receiving direct sunlight throughout the day. In certain homes this can be very intense. 

Poor Air Flow

One of the most effective ways to combat unusually high temperatures in your apartment is to increase air flow. If your home has poor air flow, it can become hot and stuffy. The quickest way to fix this is to crack open windows and doors on both ends of the apartment. This will allow air to move freely throughout the home thereby reducing the indoor temperature. 

You're Running Too Many Appliances 

One potential problem is having too many devices and appliances running at the same time. When computers, space heaters, and iron boxes are drawing power simultaneously, heat can be built up in the space. When you’re not using them, make sure to turn off your devices in order to avoid creating unnecessary heat. 

Poor Air Conditioning 

There are several common AC issues that could be affecting your apartment's overall temperature. If your air conditioning unit is running but your apartment is still hot, it might not be functioning properly. Defective AC units are guaranteed to make things worse. That said, it’s also possible that it’s not defective but too small for the size of your apartment. Another potential issue is buildup on the air conditioning filter. Make sure to check the filter regularly and if it’s dirty, replace it!

Too Much Sunlight 

If you get a lot of direct sunlight through your windows (especially if you live on the top floor), your apartment will definitely get hotter. Combat this by using your blinds to block out the sun during the hottest part of the day. 

Clogged Air Vents 

Clogged air vents are one of the more common culprits. Blocked vents prevent air from circulating throughout your apartment and will cause your AC unit to overwork and compensate for the lack of airflow. There's a myth that closing your vents will improve your AC's efficiency— this is not true! Keep those vents open and clean to get the best airflow through your apartment. 

How to Cool Off Your Apartment 

Now let's learn about solutions that can help to bring down the temperature in your apartment. 

Open the Windows 

We'll start with the most obvious solution: open your windows and let the breeze in! Opening your windows is especially important when you are cooking so that the heat (and smell) from the stove is able to escape. It will also ensure that the apartment walls don't trap the heat in. 

Check for Problems With Your AC Unit 

If you have an AC unit but you're still dying of heat in your apartment, check for issues. Most times, you'll find that the filters are dirty, which prevents you from getting that cold air circulating in your apartment. The fan might also have issues. Be sure to reach to your property manager or HVAC specialist before trying to make repairs. Someone from the community’s maintenance team might be able to come out and make a quick fix. 

Cool Your Bedding

Cooling bedding is a fantastic new technology that helps push moisture and heat away to allow you to be as cool as possible when you're in bed. If you have trouble staying cool throughout the night, we highly recommend you try it out.

Shade Your Windows

If you have an apartment that is facing South or West or don't have tall buildings blocking sunlight from hitting your apartment, you're probably absorbing a lot of heat from the hottest thing there is: the sun. Invest in quality drapes or blinds that can block out the heat and keep it closed throughout the day. If you are gone from your apartment during the day, close them before you leave so that the apartment is cooler when you get back.

Use LED Lights Instead of Incandescent Bulbs

LED lights emit about 100 times less heat than incandescent bulbs, and they even last about 20 times longer as well. Invest in some LED bulbs and you might even save more on your electrical costs!

Get a Fan and Turn Off Heat-Emitting Appliances

Try to turn off any big appliances that may be heating up your apartment unnecessarily, like computers or televisions.

Get some fans and manually create some airflow in your apartment near the windows. This will push hot air from inside your house back out. 

Key Takeaways

Although dealing with a hot apartment can be difficult, we hope that you find these tips & tricks to be helpful and effective. 

If you’re looking for your next home, please visit us at Willow Crossings Apartments. We offer Terre Haute, Indiana’s finest 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom floor plans, fitted with enriching in-home amenities like energy efficient appliances, granite-inspired countertops, shaker cabinetry, plush carpeting, spacious closets, and a private patio or balcony in select homes. 

Schedule your tour today and find your home among the willows at Willow Crossings Apartments.