Does your air conditioner constantly run in the summer? Is the second floor of your home uncomfortably hot? Have you noticed a spike in your monthly utility bills ever since the summer heat came?
If you replied “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. These are problems that homeowners throughout the Queen Anne and Easton areas face every summer. And while it may seem as though the air conditioner is to blame, the problem likely has to do with inefficiencies like air leakage and inadequate insulation.
The Problem with Air Leaks & Missing Insulation
Air leaks and insulation gaps are all too common in homes throughout Maryland — and they impact your home comfort more than you might think. Air leaks in the attic, roof, crawl space, and exterior walls allow cool inside air to escape and hot outside air to enter; it’s just like leaving a window wide open all summer long. Insulation gaps, meanwhile, allow summer heat to travel through the exterior of your home and into your living spaces.
If your home is leaky and under-insulated, you can expect issues like:
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Inconsistent indoor temperatures
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A second floor that won’t cool off
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Higher cooling bills
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Constantly running AC equipment
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More frequent AC repairs
Keep Your House Cool with These Home Upgrades
For more consistent indoor temperatures, a cooler upstairs, and lower monthly energy bills, make sure your home is well sealed and insulated. It all starts with a home energy audit, where a home performance expert will use special equipment to locate exactly where your home is losing energy. Then, they’ll likely recommend these energy saving upgrades:
Air Sealing
Air sealing eliminates those holes, cracks, and gaps throughout your home that are letting air travel in and out freely.
Insulation
Insulation creates a thermal barrier along your home’s exterior which keeps summer heat out.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Often overlooked, crawl space encapsulation seals air leaks in the crawl space and keeps out excess humidity using spray foam and a heavy duty vapor barrier. Your crawl space encapsulation specialist may also install a dehumidifier to further prevent moisture build-up and mold growth.
Together, air sealing, insulation, and crawl space encapsulation will help keep your home cooler and more comfortable — without you having to run your AC system constantly.
Boost Your Home Comfort with Total Home Performance
Don’t let all of that cool air from your air conditioner seep right out of your home. Instead, trust the experts at Total Home Performance to make the improvements your home needs for greater indoor comfort and energy efficiency all summer.