Today’s industry constantly acknowledges the benefits of cellulose insulation and air sealing, specifically in an air conditioned home during the summer—but what about the New England homes that do not have air conditioning? Both insulation and air sealing are highly beneficial to air-conditioned homes because they hold cool air inside your home and do not let warm air sneak in. Likewise, insulating and air sealing a non-air conditioned home is a necessity.
As the outdoor temperature rises, it is essential for your comfort to keep this summer heat outside where it belongs. An air conditioned home has a fairly easy time staying cool once it is sealed off from outdoors. A home without air conditioning can also reach and maintain cooler temperatures with the help of insulation and air sealing. Not only will you save energy by using fans, your home will be comfortably cooler than the hot summer weather.
Although cold air is not constantly pumped into a home that lacks air conditioning, loose-fill cellulose insulation helps by preventing hot air from entering. The sun’s summer rays contribute to a large amount of heat in a home without insulation. Attic and ceiling insulation prevent the sun’s heat from reaching the inner walls of your home. This helps to prevent a home without air conditioning from increasing its internal temperature throughout the day.
Air sealing is also a necessary component when fastening up your home to protect it from the surrounding heat. Even if your home is insulated, hot air can sneak in through small cracks in your home’s envelope. In a home without air conditioning, air sealing protects your home from filling with unwanted outside heat.
A good technique to cool your home is to let the cooler air in through your windows at night. Also, using fans when you are in a room will help keep you cool without consuming too much power. Be sure to turn off the fans when you leave the room to conserve the maximum amount of energy.
When your home is sealed, the cool air that comes in at night will remain inside as long as possible. You can regulate when you let in outside air and when you keep your home closed. With this new power, you can maintain the temperature that you want in your home.
In New England where the summers often seem too short, many homes go without air conditioning. But as the temperature reaches the high 90s, everyone often longs for A/C as they sweat in front of their fans. With insulation and air sealing, your home’s temperature will drop during these summer months, and you can relax in a cooler home while conserving energy.
