You have insufficient insulation. Your house and attic insulation can wear down over time. Your house also may have hidden attics that aren't properly insulated or uninsulated garage walls that are attached to your home, and this can cause problems with heat escape, unwanted airflow, and drafts.
If you have a heating system it may not be turned on or be able to get to your room properly. There's also probably places where heat is escaping your room into the cold outside. Could be a window that just isn't fully closed, some other opening, or maybe just the insulation in your window and walls are bad.
A common reason for a cold house is often insufficient insulation. Insulation serves as a barrier, preventing heat from escaping and cold air from entering. In homes with inadequate insulation, this thermal barrier is compromised, resulting in heat loss and difficulty retaining warmth.
Keep your doors closed for rooms you aren't occupying, hang a blanket or sheet to section off other large openings. Candles also go a surprisingly long way toward heating a small space.
CHECK YOUR INSULATION AND DUCT WORK
If your apartment is poorly insulated, heat will transfer more easily into your living space. Check the insulation in your attic and walls to make sure it is adequate. If not, consider adding more insulation to help keep your apartment cooler.
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.
This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, such as insufficient insulation, a damaged AC system, or ventilation issues. Fortunately, there are ways to address these issues that can not only boost your comfort but also lower your energy bills.
Poor insulation: If your home isn't properly insulated, heat can escape through the walls, attic, or floors, making it harder to keep your house warm. Leaky ductwork: Damaged or unsealed ducts can leak warm air, reducing the efficiency of your heating system and causing cold spots around your home.
The most frequent cause of a drafty home is improper air sealing and leaks from your doors and windows, says Josh Lake, co-founder at Elephant Energy. “This is especially true in older homes where windows and doors can warp, creating gaps that allow cold air to leak in,” he says.
During the winter, your top-floor apartment is cold. However, it is likely hotter in the summer months than other parts of the building. The good news is that you can take steps to keep it cool.
But don't take it from us, take it from the World Health Organization: They recommend a temperature of at least 64°… and raising that to at least 70° if there are babies, elderly people, or otherwise immunocompromised people in the home.
“You can't get sick from being cold in general, whether you're outside or inside,” Fecher says.
Improper Insulation
No matter how efficiently your heating system runs, if your home isn't well-insulated, that precious warm air will escape quickly. Check your windows, doors, and attic spaces to ensure they're properly sealed and insulated.
As we talked about above, keeping your home between 62 – 72 at all times will be the best solution. In fact, having a period of a lower temperature (about 8 hours) at night when you're tucked up in bed (or when you're out at work during the day) could help you reduce your heating bill by as much as 15%.
Many cold apartments suffer from insufficient insulation, allowing heat to escape through walls, roofs, and floors. This problem is particularly common in older buildings. An energy audit can reveal areas where insulation is lacking or has deteriorated over time, providing a clear roadmap for necessary upgrades.
Winter may still bring in cold spells and when the temperature drops below 20°F, you need to keep pipes from freezing. A lot of damage can be sustained if you have frozen pipes in condos, houses, and other properties in your homeowners association (HOA).
So, whether you live in a house, condo or apartment, the advice remains the same: Drip your faucets. Fabian Pecina, manager at L&P Plumbing, said he expects he'll see more leaks, a sign of burst pipes, this time around. “It's always the overnights that are the worst of it,” he said.
Your ac not cooling your house correctly could be caused by a few things, including: Insufficient insulation and air leaks in your house. A worn-out AC system that needs replacing. A thermostat that needs recalibration.
In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.
Window treatments are essential in managing apartment temperatures. Employing thermal drapes or cellular shades can block sunlight efficiently. These treatments provide insulation, keeping interiors cool during hot weather. In colder months, they can be opened to invite warmth from direct sunlight.