29 Jun How to Reduce Heat Gain in Summer
Solar heat gain in summer makes your air conditioner have to work extra hard to cool your home. If you want to avoid high electricity bills and HVAC malfunctions, it’s important to keep as much heat as possible out of your home.
At Energy Saving Pros, we can help you save money and extend the life of your HVAC system with energy-saving services such as air sealing, HVAC maintenance, and more. Continue reading to learn more about heat gain and the steps you can take to protect your walls and windows from direct sun and heat.
What Is Heat Gain, and Why Should You Reduce It?
Heat gain refers to a rise in temperature that can occur in your home from a variety of factors. For example, windows that let sunlight indoors increase solar heat gain. Hot air from outside can enter your home through open windows, doors, cracks in walls, and vents. Walls and ceilings can also conduct warm air into your home. Plus, people and appliances generate even more heat.
When your home starts gaining too much heat, your air conditioner has to work longer and harder to reach your desired indoor temperature. Too much stress on your HVAC system leads to expensive repairs and high electricity bills. Luckily, you can keep your home comfortable with a variety of affordable solutions that help reduce the amount of heat inside.
How to Reduce Solar Heat Gain in Your Home
1: Keep Windows Closed and Covered
Obviously, an open window lets cool air escape and warm air come in. However, even a closed window in direct sunlight can also allow heat into your home, especially if it has a high solar heat gain coefficient (a higher coefficient means more heat gets inside).
You can reduce solar heat gain from windows by:
- Installing thick curtains, window tints or films, and outdoor awnings
- Closing window coverings during the hottest parts of the day
- Keeping your windows shut, especially when you run your A/C
2: Weatherproof, Insulate, and Seal Your Home
Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and exterior doors to keep hot air out and cold air in. Weatherproofing your doors and windows also reduces condensation inside your home, which is essential for preventing mold growth.
The attic is another major area where heat can enter your home, but you can prevent heat gain by removing old insulation and air sealing your attic. Replacing insulation improves the energy efficiency of your home and prevents warm air in the rest of your house from rising to the attic and getting stuck there. Sealing the cracks in your attic not only reduces heat gain and energy bills, it also helps your family breathe better by keeping allergens out of your home.
3: Ventilate Your Attic
Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can build up in your attic and cause damage to your roof. Attic fans reduce the temperature of your attic in summer and also help keep your attic free of moisture. You can even get a solar-powered attic fan to further improve the energy efficiency of your home.
4: Restrict Use of Appliances
Using the oven, dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer can significantly increase the interior temperature of your home. When possible, only use these appliances during the cooler evening hours to avoid adding too much heat indoors. Televisions and computers can also generate a lot of heat, so make sure to turn them off when they’re not in use.
5: Protect Exterior Walls
You can prevent your walls from absorbing too much heat by simply painting your home a lighter color. Dark colors absorb heat from the sun, while light colors reflect it away. Creating more shade for your exterior walls by planting trees and tall shrubs is also a good idea, especially for walls and windows that receive direct sunlight.
Energy Saving Solutions in Sacramento
If you’re interested in insulating or ventilating your attic, contact the energy efficiency experts at Energy Saving Pros. We provide a wide range of services to help you reduce heat gain and improve your home’s energy efficiency. Call 916-259-2501 today to request a free quote.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/28/2022). Photo by K8 on Unsplash