A hot upstairs. Window AC units. Ceiling fans running all day. High utility bills. Sound familiar? These are part of everyday life for many people in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland during the summer; but with one simple home upgrade, they don’t have to be.
The home upgrade we’re talking about is attic insulation. Attic insulation can offer a wide range of benefits for your home, particularly in the summer when heat and humidity are in full force. In this blog post, we’re taking you through a “case study” of how insulating and air sealing your attic now can prepare your home for the coming hot weather.
The Problem: Excess Heat & High Energy Bills
Many houses in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland encounter the same problem once the weather starts to warm up — the second floor becomes unbearably hot, and air conditioning costs skyrocket as a result. This has many homeowners utilizing some combination of ceiling fans, window units, and open windows just to stay cool.
The Solution: Insulating & Air Sealing the Attic
The solution for this common summer setback is insulating and air sealing the attic. Here’s how it works.
In the summer, the sun beats down on your roof, causing heat to accumulate in the attic. If your attic is under-insulated and there are air leaks leading down into your living spaces, this heat will move down into your living spaces, causing the second floor of your home to become stiflingly hot.
By having an insulation contractor seal air leaks along the attic floor and bring attic insulation to proper levels, you can keep that attic heat from seeping down into your home.
The Results: Enhanced Comfort & Energy Savings
We’ve seen the difference that attic insulation can make in many homes here in the DC area. Our customers have reported a number of summer benefits after having our team re-insulate their attic, including:
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A cooler second floor
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Improved overall comfort
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Less need to run air conditioning
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Up to 10% savings on cooling costs
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Fewer AC system issues
The benefits don’t stop there, either. Our customers also report feeling more comfortable in their homes during the winter — since their attic insulation keeps valuable indoor heat in when it’s cold out.
If you’re looking to prepare your home for the coming warm weather, get in touch with the team at The Fifth Fuel. As home comfort specialists, we can help you assess your attic and identify key areas that need attention.
