Although turning up the air conditioner can cancel out the summer heat, it won’t prevent hot air from seeping inside your house in the first place. The extra effort the HVAC system puts into maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures could actually lead to higher energy bills throughout summer. That’s why you should schedule an energy audit. Professionals will identify air leaks and then recommend the following advice to prevent heat transfer that can cost you money and comfort. 

3 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

1. Paint Sun-Facing Walls White 

The color of the house can affect how hot the interiors get during warmer months. Dark exterior walls and interior walls that face the sun absorb 70 to 90 percent of the radiant energy from sunlight. To reduce the heat buildup, paint these surfaces white. Doing so can reduce heat gain by 35 percent. 

2. Install Shutters & Shades

During summer, about 76 percent of the sunlight that shines through double-pane windows ends up as heat inside a house. Heat could enter through worn, poorly-insulated, and single-pane models. Installing window treatments will increase the efficiency of the fixtures. Inside the house, the air pockets in cellular shades act as insulators that block the heat that seeps through window glass. Placing shutters and motorized shades on the outside of the house will also reduce solar heat gain through windows.  

3. Upgrade Insulation

During the energy audit, an inspector will use infrared cameras and blower door tests to look for air leaks in the home’s infrastructure. To seal the leaks, the professional will recommend insulating the roof, walls, and flooring. Technicians can install loose-fill cellulose insulation in unfinished attic floors, wall cavities, and other areas where heat gain is a problem. Spray foam insulation can also be placed in the cracks and crevices to increase the R-value of the infrastructure. 

For an energy audit to identify air leaks, contact the professionals at Farnum Insulators in East Dummerston, VT. In addition to finding sources of heat gain, the technicians will also pinpoint structural damage and moisture problems that need to be addressed. After the energy audit, the crew can install loose-fill cellulose or spray foam insulation in voids to keep cooling and heating costs low. Learn about the diagnostic services online and call (802) 387-5005 for an appointment in the Windham County area. Find tips to prepare for insulation installation on Facebook.