While people outside of our region may associate Wisconsin with our snowy winters, the Badger State can warm up quickly in the summer. Temperatures in July and August can reach the 80s and 90s in most parts of the state, making homeowners rush to the thermostat to turn on their air conditioners.
But what happens when the air conditioner kicks in and you’re still sweating? Every steamy summer the experts at Wisconsin Home Improvement, LLC get calls wondering “why isn’t my AC keeping my house cool?” Luckily, with a little investigation, we can usually find the answer and make a plan to help.
Start with a Home Energy Audit
Issues with maintaining a comfortable temperature in a home can often be traced back to insufficient or incorrectly installed insulation and air leaks. A home energy audit is the best way to find the exact origins of an insulation or air sealing problem.
In a home energy audit, a building science expert will use equipment such as infrared thermal imaging to track down the location of air leaks or inadequate insulation.
Audits are recommended as the first step for any home performance project, after which the auditor can recommend upgrades that will make a noticeable difference in how cool your home stays in the summer.
Insulation Needs to Be Added or Upgraded
In many cases where homeowners want to know why their AC is not cooling, insulation is the answer. Without proper insulation, a home is poorly protected against the outdoor summer temperatures. Heat will transfer through the building materials of the home or enter via cracks and air leaks in the building construction. Even if a home has AC, homeowners are likely to be wasting energy, increasing cooling costs, and still might not be 100% comfortable.
By correctly upgrading existing home insulation and air sealing, you can improve your comfort and lower energy costs.
You’re Missing Air Sealing
Just like the energy waste associated with poor, damaged, or missing insulation, air leaks make your home less energy efficient and your HVAC system will have to run longer to compensate. Insulation and air sealing go together when it comes to cultivating a comfortable home interior.
Air sealing closes holes and cracks that allow air to travel into and out of the home. Without it, the cool air that the AC is creating can easily travel out through those cracks rather than cooling down the home’s interior. Air sealing can help a home feel more comfortable while homeowners save energy and enjoy lower cooling bills in no time.
Keep Cool with Wisconsin Home Improvement
Don’t spend a moment this summer fretting about how to keep your house cool. The team at Wisconsin Home Improvement can help you find out why your AC isn’t keeping your house cool and what steps will get your home to a comfortable temperature this summer. Thankfully, the same improvements and upgrades that will keep you cool this summer will also keep you warm once winter comes, making for a more energy efficient home and lower energy bills all year.
Contact us today to schedule a home performance audit.
