When summer’s heat arrives, it can make your air
conditioning unit work harder than it should to keep the interior of your home
comfortable. However, there is a way to help your home feel more comfortable
for you and your family. And that is with insulation. While many home have
insulation, you should check to make sure that it is enough. And if it is old,
it may need to be replaced, or your home may simply need more to prepare for
summer. There are five main locations where you can add insulation and that is
your attic, walls, floors, crawlspace and basement. Sealing windows, adding
window coverings and using eco-friendly accessories are other ways to ready
your home for summer.
Attic Insulation
A home’s attic is the most important area to insulate. As
sunlight shines down on your home, roof temperatures during the day can exceed
140 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature drops at night, the heat that your
roof absorbed during the day is released, so if the insulation in your attic is
old or diminished, then heat radiates down into your home. If your attic is
properly insulated, your home will stay cooler.
Wall Insulation
When your appliances use less power to maintain your home’s
interior temperatures, your power bill will likely decrease. While there are
five main places to insulation, after your attic, walls would also be
considered a must. This is because proper insulation in your house can lower
your utility bills by as much as 20%. And in addition to energy efficiency,
insulation in your walls also helps reduce noise within your home.
Other Ways to Prepare
for Summer Heat
Windows are another area of your home that lose cool air. To
prevent this loss, make sure your windows are sealed. If your home’s windows
are not double-glazed, use polyurethane panels. These form a seal around a
window’s frame to stop air leaks. Because windows absorb heat, consider
investing in blinds or thick curtains to rebuff heat. And if you have a
fireplace, consider installing a chimney balloon as the device will stop cool
air from exiting through this opening.
