In addition to reducing air conditioning costs, effective insulation also has numerous other benefits. It helps regulate the temperature in your home, making it more comfortable year-round. Insulation can also reduce noise levels, improve indoor air quality, and increase the overall value of your home.
How It Helps Air Conditioning to Insulate Your House. House insulation slows heat flow through the home as well as prevents heat gain inside. It is a great benefit to your air conditioning system as it keeps cool air inside your home and blocks heat gain from outdoors.
A properly insulated attic can benefit your home in many ways, beside just keeping the home at a comfortable temperature year round. The short answer, yes, insulating the attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months.
During the summer, heat from the sun penetrates your roof and transfers into the attic, allowing temperatures to build up. If your attic floor is not insulated, this heat can seep through the ceiling. A thick layer of insulation slows heat transfer from the attic, making your air conditioner's job easier.
Reduces Heat Transfer: Adequate insulation acts as a barrier, preventing heat from your hot attic from radiating down into your living areas. This significantly reduces the workload on your AC, allowing it to maintain a comfortable temperature without constantly battling the heat.
This heat will eventually start to transfer into the house if no insulation is present to stop it and the heat transfer will make the space less comfortable even if the air conditioner is running. Insulation allows the conditioned air to remain cooler for a longer time.
Refrigerant lines use diverse types of insulation. Common materials for AC insulation wrap include foam rubber, polyethylene foam and fiberglass. Among these, the best balance of cost and effectiveness is in polyethylene foam products. These have close-celled designs to prevent moisture intrusion.
How many degrees of difference insulation makes on its own depends on the type of home you have, what the weather is like and what kind of insulation you have. Depending on what you choose, you could see a five- to 20-degree temperature difference just based on the insulation alone.
The lack of insulation in homes can lead to condensation and mould growth, creating unhealthy living environments and potentially causing structural damage. Insulation slows the movement of heat through the walls, roof, and floors, maintaining a more consistent indoor temperature.
Unless your home was specially constructed for energy efficiency, you can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years.
“Pipes can expand in high temperatures, leading to leaks or even bursts, especially in older systems. And when it comes to electricity, the increased power consumption during hot spells can overload your system, potentially causing circuit issues or, in worst-case scenarios, electrical fires.”
Without insulation around the low-pressure refrigerant line, condensation may form. The low-pressure refrigerant line will develop condensation that can cause moisture damage. To protect against condensation, the low-pressure refrigerant should be insulated.
Insulation Cost Factors. Insulation costs around $1,852 to install on average, but the price can range from $498 to $4,500, or between $0.30 to $6.75 per square foot of insulation. Your exact price will depend on a few different factors.
The short answer is yes. Effective insulation can help keep cool, air-conditioned air inside and keep the heat out for a more comfortable summer at home.
Here's another great way to tell if your home is well insulated. Use your hand to check the temperature of interior walls, floors, and ceilings. If they feel warm and dry, you are in good shape.
EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.
In fact, adding too much insulation to your walls can lead to problems such as poor ventilation, mould growth, and condensation. This is because thicker insulation can block airflow and trap moisture, leading to indoor air quality issues and even structural damage.
The Best Type of Insulation to Help Keep Your Home Cool
Fiberglass insulation (containing fibers of very fine glass) is a budget-friendly choice that comes in rolls or can be blown-in. It is both fire-and moisture-resistant. Fiberglass insulation has a low R-value.
It can be 10 to 15 years before you need to replace or upgrade your duct insulation. However, it's wise to check for signs of wear or damage. Any insulation that's torn or water-damaged should be replaced. Also, consider upgrading it if you think your HVAC system can be more energy efficient.
To fix an AC not blowing cool air, ensure the thermostat is set to "cool" mode and the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. Inspect the air filter as a dirty filter can restrict airflow. Ensure the condenser coils are clean and free of debris. Make sure vents are open and unobstructed.
Here's a question we hear often from those who brave the humid Atlanta weather: “Should I run my air conditioner with a ceiling fan?” Answer: You can— and should— run your A/C and ceiling fan together. Doing so can help lower your cooling costs each month, but only if you're using them right.