How to Stay Cool This Summer: Central Air Conditioning & Insulation
It's hot out! Don't overspend on your air conditioning costs when you can find a better solution through insulation and air sealing.
Summer solstice is upon us, which means the days are getting longer and the sun is shining! Unfortunately, the warmer weather also means that our homes are heating up and staying comfortable indoors is no longer as easy as cracking open a window.
Everyone wants to stay comfortable, but what's the cost? If you've been blasting the air conditioning in your home or office in an effort to stay cool, your energy usage is up – which means your energy costs are up as well. Without proper air sealing and insulation, you could be wasting valuable energy and money cooling a space that isn't holding in that conditioned air.
Home insulation is just as crucial in the summer as it is in the winter
Many homeowners don't realize this, but insulating your home during the hot summer months is just as important as it is during the winter. Most households lose valuable amounts of energy in the summertime because they are either inadequately insulated or the insulation was improperly installed. If your insulation is working properly, it should not only keep heat in during the winter but also keep it out during the summer. Without sufficient insulation, the sun will radiate heat to your roof where it will be conducted from the attic through the ceiling and down into the rooms below.
Some warning signs to look out for:
- Inconsistent interior temperatures
- Certain rooms are so hot that you have to close them off
- Air conditioning system working overtime
- Excessively high utility bills
What does this mean for you? Well, before you jump to cranking up the air conditioning or buying a more powerful central air conditioning system, you should consider some other options. If there are energy leaks in your home, then all of that air that you're paying to cool is just escaping back outside, so increasing your energy usage is not necessarily the solution.
Central air conditioning and insulation go hand-in-hand
When it comes to home comfort, central air conditioning and insulation is the magic combination.
An insulation and HVAC contractor can provide you with air sealing to keep your building envelope tight, eliminating excessive air leakage so that you can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 20 percent or more. Once air leaks are taken care of, it's essential to install the right kind of insulation.
Insulation is measured in R-value, which is the measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the more heat the insulation will keep out in the summer and in during the winter. There are a variety of insulation types such as spray foam insulation, rigid foam insulation, and cellulose insulation, and a professional insulation company will be able to determine the most effective type for your home.
Without the right combination of central air conditioning and home insulation, you're wasting energy and money that could otherwise be saved. Insulation provides the opportunity for a long-term change in your home comfort and energy efficiency. You may not notice the difference right away, but over time your central air conditioning will not need to be turned up so high and your utility bills will go down!
Taking the time to deal with your home insulation needs before the hottest months of the year can save you valuable energy and money, not to mention time and frustration. Find your local Dr. Energy Saver dealer today! Our highly trained insulation and HVAC companies can pinpoint every energy weakness in your home and make the necessary changes to keep your home comfortable year-round.
