When the cold weather draws in, most people like to feel cozy and warm at home. But, if your home is too warm, it can be uncomfortable, and you may be consuming more energy than you need. Most homeowners are likely to take a close look at their HVAC system when they have problems maintaining regular performance. This may be the case if you don’t schedule regular maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment. There are other possible causes to consider before you call your local HVAC specialist for help. In this article, we will investigate some common causes of a home that feels too hot and some ways to fix the problem.
A Lack of Insulation
If your home is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, you may have insufficient levels of insulation. The best thing about insulation is that it’s a passive way to keep your home cooler or warmer in relation to the temperature outside. Because you don’t need to use energy to alter the thermal profile, it makes good sense to invest in insulation for your home.
If you don’t have enough insulation in your crawl spaces, attic, garage, and other locations, you’re likely to have higher energy bills. Additionally, when your HVAC equipment has to work harder to keep your home comfortable, it introduces extra strain. This can lead to more frequent repair bills and even a shortened lifespan for your HVAC system. If you’re concerned about the insulation in your home, contact your local certified HVAC specialist and ask about an energy audit.
The Windows
If you can place your hands on your windows and feel the heat or cold through the glass, you have poorly insulated windows. This is more noticeable when it comes to heat because glass is an excellent conductor. If your home has single-glazed windows, the heat will radiate into every room where the sun hits the glass. This is why a room may feel hot and uncomfortable when it’s been exposed to sunlight for most of the day. It’s a great idea to draw the blinds and drapes when you’re not using a room during the summer. This is especially important if the windows are facing south and getting sun all day long. It’s also advisable to install double-glazed windows to solve this problem and prevent the loss of treated air around the frame. If you don’t have the budget for a full window replacement, take a look at secondary glazing options for the windows that are most affected by the sun.
Roof Space Insulation
We briefly mentioned insulation levels for the home, but many people forget about the roof space and floors. A great deal of heat can be lost directly through the roof if there isn’t enough insulation in that space. If you invest in a well insulated attic, you can also protect your home against allergens, mold growth, and water damage.
The most simple type of insulation is a roll and batt, and you can find huge rolls at any home improvement store. If you want to invest a little more, you can get an air-tight product to help keep the treated air in the home. Another good option is a spray-foam insulation that can take more time to apply, but it offers a good level of performance. If you’re not confident, contact a local professional to help you install your insulation.
Change Your Roof Color
As you may already know, dark colors tend to absorb heat, but lighter colors actually reflect it away. This is why summer clothing tends to be lightly colored to help people stay cooler when the weather is hot. This same principle can be applied to your home to cut down on the heat affecting the roof. If you paint the roof white, most of the heat can be reflected away from the home to reduce your air conditioning needs and save energy. There are a number of methods; adding white paint is simple, but you could also install light fiber cement or concrete tiles. Another option would be to place solar reflective asphalt shingles on the roof to reflect the unwanted heat away.
Reduce the Humidity Levels
When the humidity in your home is too high, the extra moisture in the air will make your indoor spaces feel much hotter. An air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier when it removes heat from your home, but it is not a dedicated unit for this purpose.
If you have an AC system that’s too large, this is also a problem because it won’t have sufficient time to remove humidity if it cools the space too quickly. If you find that your clothes are sticking to your skin indoors when the weather turns warmer, you need to make a change.
The first option is to get your HVAC system checked to make sure it’s the correct size for your home. Another option is to install a dedicated dehumidifier to work alongside your air conditioning. If you want to reduce moisture levels in your home, you can also take shorter showers, ventilate the kitchen when cooking, move your houseplants outside during summer and dry your clothes outdoors. It’s easy to check your humidity, get a hygrometer, and the humidity level should fall within a 30-50% range for a healthy home. If you have a problem with your humidity, your local HVAC specialist can provide expert advice.
Find and Fix Air Leaks
It cost a great deal of energy to supply treated air to the various rooms in your home. This is equally true during the summer and winter months, and if that air is lost, it’s a waste of energy. If you have failing seals around your doors, windows, pipes, and light fixtures, the treated air could escape. Smaller leaks can be fixed with a little caulk, and larger gaps can be plugged with a foam sealant. When you apply these products, make sure the room is ventilated and wear a face mask to stay safe.
If you’re concerned about the level of heat in your home, contact your local certified HVAC specialist today.