One of the best things you can do with your time and money before you install a new air conditioner is to lower your cooling load. It doesn’t need to take a lot of time, this effort can result in lower energy bills both in the short term and the long term. A lower cooling load also may enable you to consider a smaller A/C than you might have otherwise, saving money on both operating costs and installation.
The two aspects of your cooling load that you can mainly address are the amount of heat gain your home experiences and air infiltration. The bonus from reducing the cooling load is that in most cases, these steps also reduce your heating load in the winter.
Heat gain
Insulation in the attic is the best defense against heat gain. If you can see the tops of the floor joists in the attic, you probably need more. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends at least 15 inches for your attic, bringing it to an R-value of 49. Batt or blown-in insulation is fairly easy to install and both are inexpensive. Insulating your ductwork, as it runs through unconditioned areas in your home, is another proven way to reduce heat gain (and the cooling load).
During the summer, shading your windows will lower heat gain indoors. Thermal or Energy Star windows are a significant investment, but if they’re not in your budget, consider shade screens. Some types can block as much as 90 percent of the heat coming through your windows without blocking your view outdoors.
Air infiltration
- Step outside and look for cracks around your window frames and the exterior. Seal with caulk to lower the amount of air coming inside your home.
- Check your exterior door frames for daylight. If you can see any, apply fresh weather stripping.
- Sometimes electrical switches and outlets on exterior walls let air indoors. Home improvement stores carry foam insulation gaskets that will stop the infiltration.
- Look for any cracks around cables, pipes or wires coming into your home and seal with caulk or expanding foam.
If you’d like to learn more about lowering your cooling load, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide quality HVAC services to homeowners in Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about cooling loads and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy 1 Heating services the Lorain, OH area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area