How Does a Home Lose Heat and AC?
Does it feel like your home is cooling down too quickly in the winter or not staying cool enough in the summer? There are a number of factors that can impact temperature control in your home and not addressing these issues could lead to higher energy costs while making harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
That’s why we’ve come up with a few common ways that heat and cool air escape from your home, and how you can address those issues to save money and create a more comfortable home.
Insulation Is the First Line of Defense
One of the most important factors in keeping your home comfortable is high quality attic insulation. Having the proper insulation will keep your home cool when the hot Arizona sun is beating down during the summer and keep the warm air inside during the winter.
It’s pretty easy to determine whether you have enough insulation to stand up to the elements. You need to get on a ladder and poke your head up into the attic. You should see a nice even layer of insulation that completely covers the wood right above your ceiling. If you can see wood sticking up, you need more insulation.
Another aspect to consider is the age of your home. If it was built before the mid-1980s, you will almost certainly need new insulation. That’s because federal efficiency standards have come a long way since then. Plus, if your insulation is that old, you can bet it’s not nearly as effective as it used to be.
Today’s insulation is built to meet or exceed federal guidelines and will do a noticeably better job of maintaining a constant, comfortable temperature.
How Are Your Windows?
Having the right windows will also go a very long way toward keeping your home comfortable and efficient. In fact, windows and doors can account for 20% or more of your total heat or cool air loss. That basically means upgrading your windows and sealing your doors could make your AC system 20% more efficient. That’s quite an important amount.
If you think it might be time to upgrade your windows, there are a few determining factors you’ll want to keep in mind. First off, be sure to choose windows that have earned the federal Energy Star rating. Second, consult with a professional window contractor who is up to date on the latest technology and federal standards. Choosing the right windows will have noticeable impacts:
Energy Savings: You’ll notice right away that it costs less to heat and cool your home when you have efficient windows that are correctly installed.
Better Comfort: Efficient windows will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This is partly because window temperatures will remain more moderate throughout the year, instead of heating up in the summer and creating cold drafts in the winter.
Is Your HVAC Unit Efficient?
Of course, having an efficient heating and cooling unit is the final and most important piece of this puzzle. Today’s air conditioning units are built to a higher level of efficiency than ever before. In fact, they are federally regulated to ensure every unit built meets the legal guidelines.
As technology improves, those guidelines are tightened. The government uses a measurement called the SEER rating to determine exactly how efficient a particular unit actually is. The concept is simple: the higher the number, the more efficient the AC unit.
Just a few years ago, the minimum rating was 12. Today, it is 14. That means units that are just a few years old do not meet today’s standards of efficiency. And while 14 may be the minimum SEER rating, manufacturers are producing new units with ratings as high as 23.
If your unit is more than a few years old and isn’t doing a good job of cooling and heating your home, it may be time to consider upgrading.
Want to Learn More About Improving Efficiency?
If you still have questions about making your home more efficient through proper air conditioning, insulation and ventilation, feel free to contact our experts at Precision Air. Give us a call day or night at 602.Fix.MyAc (602-910-2758).
