One thing that I have learned over my years as a service technician is that if an air conditioner is blowing out cold air but the home doesn’t seem to be cooling down, heat gain may be the source of the problem in that home. Heat gain is the amount of heat entering the home through windows, doors, poorly insulated walls and ceilings, and we cannot forget the heat gained by having kids constantly running in and out of the house. As a homeowner, there are many ways you can increase your energy efficiency by decreasing your home’s heat gain.
Keep the Heat Out!
- Check Insulation: During the hottest time of the day feel your walls and ceilings. Do they feel warm to the touch? If they do feel warm you have located a major source of heat gain. Having a specialist come out and check the insulation in your attic can be a true money saver. They will be able to tell you how much insulation you are lacking and help you resolve this problem. There are a variety of insulation materials and depending on the company you hire, each will have their own type that they prefer.
- Check Windows: Old windows will add an unbelievable amount of heat to your home, and could be the true source of your heat gain problem. Again, during the heat of the day check for warm areas around the doors and windows. The window heat gain can be temporarily suppressed by closing the drapes, but closing the drapes or blinds is not a fix for old low R Value windows. However, this is good practice until you are able to upgrade your windows to a Higher R Value.
- Check Doors: Drafty, poorly hung doors may be another heat entry point. Having your sagging doors re-hung or having the weather stripping replaced can be a permanent fix to your problem. The only issue you may not be able to get around is the R Value of your doors. Some older homes have doors that are so poorly insulated that they will sometimes get frost along the edges during sub zero weather. A professional can help you make an informed decision on how you can permanently resolve your problem, and that may mean replacing a few of the doors in your home.
- Regulate Traffic: Kids and pets constantly going in and out of the home is the easiest heat gain problem to solve. SUMMER CAMP is always an option, but you could also attempt to put a set of rules into place. Keep kids outdoors toys in a garage or shed so that they don’t have to run inside and out every time they decide to play a new game. The fewer times the home’s envelope is opened, the more cool air you will conserve and the easier it will be for your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Solve The Problem Once and For All!
Give some thought into improving your homes energy efficiency. The cost of repairs and upgrades will be offset by money you will begin to save every month on your energy bills. As an added bonus, many of these upgrades improve the value of your home at they improve its efficiency. A profession will evaluate your home’s heat gain and loss and present you with sensible solutions for your home’s heat gain problems.