Summertime means high temperatures and hot homes. No matter how well a home is insulated or roofed, it is going to get hot. That is simply the nature of structures; they store heat during the day and release it at night. Unfortunately, families spend time inside during the day, and comfort is important. Keeping the home comfortable means finding ways to keep cool air in and the heat outside where it belongs. These three tips will help create a cooler indoor space so the family stays happy this summer.
Map Out Airflow in the Home
Image via Flickr by KOMUnews
This may seem like a strange concept, but knowing how the air flows in the home is an important tool for keeping the home comfortable. When the windows and doors are closed, the walls in the home block off air. Turn on the AC and the cool air pools instead of spreads. This results in spots that are colder than the rest of the home. The easiest way to combat the pooling air is to put out a fan and push it along so it spreads. If you feel this is a problem that needs to be fixed, it is time to discuss having vents put into the walls in strategic locations. Vents help the air spread from room to room instead of pooling or stagnating.
Maintain the Air Conditioning Unit
The AC unit is placed outdoors in order to exhaust heat from its operation and the home. This means it is also exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, sun, and sleet have the potential to damage the unit. Wear and tear is another issue that can cause an AC unit to malfunction or operate inefficiently. When the unit does not operate as it should, it will not cool off the house properly, turning the interior into a humid and dense atmosphere. The easiest way to avoid problems with the AC is to keep up with the maintenance by calling in a company like Ocean State for regular house calls.
Regular maintenance of the AC unit helps keep the home comfortable during the summer. It also helps to avoid an unwanted repair bill when least expected.
Check Windows and Doors
It is important to make sure windows and doors have proper sealing year round. Leaky seals cause your bills to rise and your house to be a lot less comfortable. If you feel that you are not going to be opening the windows during the hotter months, go ahead and seal them with temporary sealant. Alternatively, use window treatments that block airflow going in or out; just make sure you do not lose natural light in the process.
Doors are another area of air leakage. While you cannot seal them shut, you can put adhesive foam where there are gaps and keep the air in. When the door is closed, it presses against the foam to create an airtight seal.
It takes just a bit of work to save a lot of money on cooling bills and keep your family comfortable at the same time. You will thank yourself later that you took the effort now to make your home as comfortable as possible.
