A Bigger AC Unit Isn’t Necessarily the Answer
Turn on the news and all we see are stories about the hottest recorded temperatures on earth. Record heat waves are happening across the U.S., Europe, Asia … frankly, everywhere.
The Jersey Shore has been experiencing a few very hot days and we should expect at least one more heat wave this summer. So, how do you cool your home on not only very hot days, but the hottest days ever recorded? You might think a bigger AC unit is the answer, but that will most likely create bigger problems once temperatures return to normal. This is especially true if your air conditioner is single-stage or two-stage.
You could technically install a bigger air conditioner to cool your home on very hot days. However, the best thing to do is to reduce the heat load the air conditioner must overcome. Installing a bigger AC unit may help cool your home on very hot days, but it’ll cost you. Not only will it cost you more money upfront and the rest of the year, it will likely make your home uncomfortable most of the year. If your utility company discovers you oversized your air conditioner, they disqualify you from their rebate programs – costing you more money. Again, the right way to cool your home on very hot days is to reduce the heat entering your home.
Stop Air Infiltration (It’s Not Your Windows)
Most of us were led to believe that cold air drafts or hot air leaking into our homes are the result of bad windows. While that is true, many Jersey Shore homes are leaky because the homes design allows hot attic and wall air into the home.
Using a thermal camera often shows heat entering a home around plant shelves, vaulted ceilings, and under stairwells. While insulation is a “thermal boundary,” it is not an “air boundary.” In fact, hot “air” can pass right through insulation. A tell-tale sign of air leakage is very dirty (brown) insulation that was once pink, yellow, or white. What’s happening is the dusty attic air is flowing through the insulation into the house. The insulation is acting like a filter – think about what your AC filter looks like after a month.
Having your attic and walls air sealed will help cool your home on very hot days.
Fix Poor Duct Design & Seal Leaky Ducts
Even the best air conditioner can’t cool your home on very hot days if it can’t remove enough heat. Your return air (where the filter goes) is removing hot air from your home. Many homes in Monmouth & Ocean Counties have insufficient return air and simply can’t remove the heat fast enough.
Your supply ducts deliver conditioned air back into every room in your home. However, when improperly designed, and/or leaky, those ducts cannot deliver the proper amount of air to cool your home.
It’s important to remember that simply replacing your AC unit does not fix all those problems. If we recommend duct improvements and/or sealing, it’s not just to sell add-ons. Rostron Premium Home Services knows you’ll be more comfortable, and your new AC unit will operate better & last longer.
How Your Lifestyle Choices Can Help Cool Your Home
Showering, laundry, and cooking, all add heat & humidity to your home. Many recessed can lights produce significant heat (and are a source of air leakage from your attic). Pulling your hot car into the garage and then propping the door open while you bring groceries in = dramatic heat gain. Leaving the back door open while running back and forth to the barbecue grill… Of course, we are not suggesting you stop showering (especially when it’s hot LOL). We share this so you think about the time of day you do certain things and lifestyle choices you can make to reduce heat gain.
YOUR HVAC SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED!
At the end of the day, maybe you need a brand new HVAC system. If it’s 10 years old and you feel like it’s not keeping up, maybe it’s time to get a FREE estimate! Enjoy this video below from our Project Manager John Fels…
