If you've been struggling to beat the heat this summer, with temperatures continuing to rise across the U.S., there's one simple yet serious mistake that could be secretly spiking the heat of your home: setting your water temperature too high.
Our HVAC pros warn that this little-known error could be warming your space without your knowledge, wasting money, and causing your AC to work even harder.
Here, they explain exactly why acting on it now is an effective way to keep a home cool in a heatwave.
How water temperature can spike your home's temperature
According to Benjamin Uscilla, owner and HVAC technician at Evergreen Heating & Cooling, 'A lot of homeowners don’t realize their boiler can heat up the house in summer, even if they’re not using it for space heating.'
When the water temperature is set too high, the boiler keeps firing just to maintain the temperature for hot water. 'And all that heat has to go somewhere,' he warns.
'It radiates through the pipes, especially if they’re not insulated, and ends up warming up basements, closets, or any finished areas nearby,' he advises. 'Your AC ends up working harder just to fight the heat coming from your system.'
In turn, this heating system mistake will make it difficult to cut energy bills, which is why it's one of the main HVAC summer mistakes best avoided.
What to do instead
Wrapping your pipes in foam insulation is an effective way to prevent heat from bleeding into your home.
Luckily, this mistake is easy to avoid to keep a home cool this summer.
Ben advises, 'What I tell folks is to lower the boiler temperature in the summer. Somewhere around 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit is plenty for domestic hot water.
'If your system has a warm weather shutdown or summer mode, turn it on. If not, just adjust it manually. That one change can make a big difference on your cooling bill.'
He also recommends wrapping hot water pipes with Frost King Polyethylene Foam Pipe Insulation available at Walmart.
'It helps keep the heat in the lines instead of letting it bleed into the room. If you’ve got an indirect water heater, a mixing valve like the Watts LF70A-F Hot Water Extender Mixing Valve available at Amazon is a good option to help regulate hot water without pushing the boiler too hard.'
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
These foam pipe covers, available in a pack of six, are pre-slit for easy opening and installation, even on curved pipes.
Keep an eye on the temperature of your home with this accurate and easy-to-read hygrometer and thermometer, which features a magnetic back to attach to your fridge.
While this insulation tape will keep your home from becoming too hot in summer, it will also prevent your pipes from freezing when the colder winter weather sets in.
If you're still finding yourself overheating in your home, this tabletop fan is affordable and effective, with power you can feel from over 27 feet away.
This tower fan features 90° oscillation, with four modes, an eight hour timer, touch control and LED display.
This oscillating table fan provides powerful personal cooling with quiet operation and a slim, compact design that's ideal for popping on your desk while working from home.
Meet our expert
Ben is a seasoned HVAC expert and the owner of Evergreen Heating & Cooling. With over 30 years of industry experience, he specializes in energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, helping homeowners and businesses optimize comfort and efficiency. His deep expertise, hands-on approach, and commitment to quality have made him a trusted authority in the industry.
Importantly, neglecting to turn down your water heater is only one of the things not to do in a heatwave, with several other expert tricks, such as strategic use of curtains, that can help you regulate your home's temperature, too.
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