Zeinab Ghais
Lifestyle Designer
Art | Studio ZG
July
When summer temperatures rise in South Texas, the heat above your living space – your roof, attic and HVAC, will dictate how hard your air conditioner has to work.
This month, focus on reducing heat transfer and improving system performance so your home stay cooler with less runtime and lower wear on equipment.
Consider starting in the attic. YES, it’s hot so only do this in the early mornings or late evenings.
Inspect your insulation and add or top up to the recommended R-value for this region (generally R-30 to R-38).
Proper insulation slows heat moving down from the roof and keeps conditioned air inside.
Inspect for any air leaks around chimneys, recessed lights, duct work and any attic hatch.
Use caulk or spray foam, even small gaps can allow a surprising amount of hot air into the home.
The next thing to check is your ventilation.
Make sure any soffit vents and a ridge vent or powered attic fan are obstructed and functioning so the hot air can escape.
If you use your attic for storage than be sure to keep materials away from the ceiling cavities and the access hatch closed during the hottest parts of the day.
Check the roof itself.
Replace or repair any damaged shingles, and consider cool roof options, like lighter colored materials or reflective coatings.
These will reduce solar heat gain and lower your attic temperatures.
These small investments can translate to meaningful reductions in indoor cooling loads.
Remember that routine maintenance on your HVAC can improve efficiency, prevents short-cycling, and prolongs equipment life.
At the same time, inspect exposed ductwork, seal leaks with mastic or foil tape and insulate ducts that run through unairconditioned spaces.
Consider being modest with your thermostat!