Getting Your Home Ready for Summer

By Mark Enloe, President of Accurate Construction, local provider of Green Home Energy Solutions.

Well, here we are deep in winter. and spring is still awhile away. So why do we need to talk about preparing your home for the summer heat?

The short answer is that most homeowners probably need to fortify their homes against the summer onslaught of heat, humidity, mold, mildew and rising energy prices. We've all seen the effect that rapid rising oil prices and the recent drop has had on our monthly budgets. History shows us that energy won't stay at their current price but will continue to rise.

The long answer is getting your home ready for summer and even winter is much easier to do now when weather temperatures are tolerable. If you've ever attempted to go in your attic in the heat of the summer where temperatures can routinely climb above 160 degrees or attempted any home improvements in the heat then I'm sure you can relate to difficulty of performing even simple tasks during this time of the year.

New homes are being constructed to be more energy efficient, but if your home is over seven years old then chances are your home isn't up to current standards. So let's talk about some simple and in most cases inexpensive things that most homeowners can do to make their homes greener, more comfortable and energy efficient


Duct Sealing


One of the most common sources of energy loss for homes during the summer and winter months are through our ductwork in the attic. Attics are subjected to the compounding effects of the suns impact on our roof. The heat build up causes deterioration of everything in our attics. Unfortunately, this is where most of heating and cooling ducts are located.

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems these ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 % of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

If you choose to take on duct sealing as a do-it-yourself project start by sealing air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces and garages). Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting. Also, make sure that the connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.


Insulation


Heating and cooling can account for up to 70 percent of the energy used in your home. adding a little insulation can add to the savings. The first inch of insulation accounts for most of the energy savings. Added insulation increases this savings but that first inch is a must. If there are areas that have missing or no insulation, this should be addressed quickly. If your insulation has become compressed it has lost its R-Value and additional insulation should be added.


Clearing and Cleaning Soffit and Gable Vents


Insulation holds heat in your home in the winter. It has some benefit in the summer but in the summer it does what it is designed to do which is hold heat. Unfortunately it holds this heat right on top of your ceiling acting as a large radiator raising your ceiling temperatures. This causes your air conditioning unit to cycle on and off sometimes late in to the night. That's why attic ventilation becomes so critical to allow heat that accumulated over the summer day to escape and lessen the times you're air conditioner has to run.

Be sure attic soffit vents and gable vents are open so air flows freely through them. Most ventilation vents on homes are an afterthought . Universal building code for vents requires one soffit vent every 8 feet but we most often find on home energy assessments that the builder has paid little attention to the actual size or opening of the intake vents with some having little or no opening at all or blown in insulation covering them. For a roof to properly ventilate and avoid heat gain and heat sink it must draw cool air from eaves and gables and vent it out through the exhaust openings on the roof. Replacing the vent covers and properly cutting the opening to the correct size will make a big difference in allowing your attic to ventilate in the summer months. Even if properly opened though grates can become clogged over time and should be cleaned and or replaced. It's definitely a dirty job, but one that will pay off handsomely in lowered energy bills.


Roof Vents


Passive roof vents do little to move air out of the attic and are usually so overwhelmed by the Texas heat that they are rendered useless. We have found that the most effective way to keep your attic space close to outside ambient air temperature is with a solar attic ventilation system. Under load it can pull 1275 cubic feet of hot air per minute out of your attic space. It last for years, virtually eliminates the potential for mold and mildew, cost nothing to operate and qualifies for the Federal Solar Investment Tax credit. Be sure to do your homework before deciding to purchase as all solar vents are not created equally. Two story homeowners will absolutely love the difference it makes in the comfort level of their upstairs rooms.


Weather Stripping and Caulking


Weather stripping and caulking are two very simple and inexpensive ways to improve your home's performance. Use these around windows and doors to prevent drafts and energy loss. A gap of just one-quarter inch can let in or out as much air as a softball-size hole. You can further seal holes by installing gaskets behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls. Foam gaskets can be found in most home improvement stores. A good source on how to locate and correct problem areas can be found on the energy star web site at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/DIY_Guide_May_2008.pdf

These are just a few of the things we can do easily to fix weaknesses in the thermal envelope that is our home. Many of these things are quick and inexpensive to correct but result in big savings to homeowners. Often more serious problems can be a result of poorly performing windows or air conditioning units, etc… Contact a reputable professional if you believe your problems fall into the latter category. Some local energy providers offer many of the services we've covered for free to qualified homeowners or offer rebates to customers who have contracted a professional to perform them. Check with your local electrical provider to see if you qualify.

It's still winter outside but spring and summer will be here before we know it. Time spent on projects now will pay dividends later.

If you have any questions about this article or any green home energy solutions or roofing issues call our local Accurate Construction representatives or visit us at www.AccurateConstructionTexas.com.