May 23, 2019
Many of us may go without central air conditioning here in southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire, but that doesn’t mean the summers here don’t get hot and humid. In fact, the summer heat seems to get more intense every year; and for many of us, the beginning of summer rings in the annual tradition of lugging the window AC units out of the attic.
But did you know there are more effective ways to keep your home cool in the summer? With a professional insulation and air sealing upgrade, you can make your home naturally cooler and reduce the need for fans and air conditioning.
Why Your House Gets Hot in the Summer
Many southern VT and southwestern NH homeowners battle the same issues every summer — a hot attic, hot upstairs bedrooms, excess indoor humidity, constantly running window AC units, high energy bills…. These issues are usually a sign that your house is leaky and under-insulated. When your house has air leaks and insufficient insulation, outside heat and humidity are able to travel freely into your living spaces, undermining your indoor comfort.
The Solution to a Hot House: Air Sealing & Insulation
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to these summer comfort and efficiency issues: air sealing and insulation. Air sealing eliminates holes and cracks which let outside air in, while insulation acts as a thermal barrier that keeps unwanted heat out of your home in the summer.
When you have an experienced insulation contractor seal air leaks throughout your home and install new insulation as needed, you can gain access to benefits like:
A cooler home in the summer
A warmer home in the winter
Less need to run fans & AC units
Greater home energy efficiency
Lower energy bills
The most important areas to air seal and insulate in the home are the attic, exterior walls, and basement or crawl space. Attic insulation keeps attic heat from seeping down into the home. (We usually use a combination of cellulose insulation and spray foam insulation for air sealing in the attic.) Exterior wall insulation keeps outside heat from seeping in through the exterior walls. (We often use blown cellulose or spray foam when insulating finished walls.) Meanwhile, basement or crawl space insulation helps keep excess moisture out of the home. (We often use spray foam insulation in tandem with other waterproofing measures, like installation of a sump pump and vapor barrier, in basements and crawl spaces.)
Stay Cool at Home This Summer with Vermont Foam
If your house is uncomfortably hot in the summer, chances are it’s time for an air sealing and insulation upgrade. And as your trusted local insulation expert in Vermont and New Hampshire, Vermont Foam Insulation is here to help you determine exactly where your home needs air sealing and insulation — and then carry out any needed home improvements.
During a free site visit, we’ll talk about the pain points of your home and explore how your home might benefit from an air sealing and insulation upgrade. We can even conduct an in-depth energy audit to pinpoint air leaks as well as under-insulated areas. But you’re going to want to hurry — summer heat will be here before you know it!