Air Conditioning Isn’t Your Only Source of Comfort This Summer
Summer has officially arrived. That means we can now look forward to longer; brighter sunny days and warmer weather. While most people love the warm weather, it comes with a price. The summer months can be brutal as the hot, humid and hazy summer months begin to set in. Comfort is extremely important to a family during this time of year. Living in a hot, uncomfortable environment can be unbearable. After all, there really aren’t many available options for helping to keep your home cool and comfortable if your air conditioning stops working, right?
Wrong! There are more options available than you realize! You could close your blinds, or even buy a ceiling fan to help circulate air throughout your home. Here’s a thought… Does your home have enough insulation? Hmm! Since Insulation is out of our everyday view we often forget how important it is to our heating and cooling efforts!
The Problem
Is your home too hot?
If your home is hot during the summer, this is probably an indication that it’s also cold during the winter months. That’s because 80% of the home’s shell consists of the wall and attic areas. When they are exposed to the outside environment, cool conditioned air will escape, allowing hot air to enter the home. These air exchanges can lead to much higher heating and cooling costs!
Does your home have enough insulation?
Roofing materials absorb heat from the sun. Heat is then transferred to the home’s attic area allowing it to filter downward towards the surface area of a home that’s severely under-insulated. This puts tremendous pressure on a home’s cooling system as it fights to keep your living spaces cool and comfortable. If comfort is important to you and your family, it’s time to start thinking about making sure your home is properly insulated. Adding insulation to an existing home will help regulate the temperature, making your living environment more enjoyable, especially in places of extreme weather.
The Solution
Generally, most home builders and industry experts recommend adding additional fiberglass insulation because it’s a cheaper option and will help make your home a more comfortable living environment. However, if you want to achieve the best barrier between your home and the outside, spray foam is a great option. While the initial investment is slightly more expensive than traditional insulation, the long term cost savings are worth the extra money. Spray foam insulation also provides tremendous comfort for your family during the hot summer months and great protection in the winter as well.
When comparing the two products, fiberglass insulation settles overtimes losing its effectiveness and minimizing the return on your investment. Over time, cool air will get around the gaps in the attic and wall areas of your home, allowing it to escape. Spray foam insulation eliminates the gaps and cracks completely. This happens because the foam hardens during installation, completely filling in spaces where gaps once existed. Spray foam creates an airtight seal in the home’s exterior shell helping to reduce air infiltration while boosting energy efficiency and increasing comfort.
Home Energy Saver Tips:
- Seal air leaks and insulate your home correctly so that your money doesn’t slip through the cracks. One of the fastest energy and money saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. Consider factors such as your climate, home design and budget when selecting insulation for your home.
- Hire a professional to conduct a home energy check. A home energy check identifies which areas of the home are losing energy. A certified technician will discuss which parts of your home are losing energy and make suggestions for eliminating energy cost.
