The Real Reason Your AC Isn’t Cooling Your House — And It Might Not Be Your Insulation
1. Move the Air in Your Home!
Set your HVAC fan to ‘On’ or ‘Circulate’ in the morning and switch it back to ‘Auto’ at night. This keeps air moving and helps blend hot and cold spots.
• Use ceiling fans set to push air down in summer mode. Portable fans can also help increase air movement.
• Open all supply and return vents fully. Remove any covers or obstructions such as furniture, clothing, or rugs.
• Slightly close vents in rooms that get too cool to redirect air elsewhere.
• Make sure the temperature in your home is set to the right temperature from the very start of the day; this is not the time of year to expect your system to “make up” the difference quickly, if at all.
• Open interior doors to improve airflow, especially if your home has a central return air duct. Closed doors can prevent return air from circulating properly, reducing cooling efficiency.
2. Block Out the Sun
- Close blinds or shades during the hottest parts of the day to reduce solar heat gain.
• For rooms that overheat, consider adding UV window film or tint when replacing windows.
3. Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance
Have your HVAC system serviced twice a year—once before winter and once before summer.
• Address any issues promptly to maintain system performance and efficiency.
Change the filters regularly. Do not use fancy, thicker filters that are not rated for your system—they will dramatically reduce the amount of cool air circulating in your home.
4. Control Humidity Below 50%
- Use a smart thermostat with a ‘Cool to Dry’ feature to manage indoor humidity.
• Portable dehumidifiers can help maintain comfort, especially in basements or humid rooms.
• A home at 78°F with 50% humidity can feel more comfortable than a 72°F home with 65% humidity.
5. Plan Renovations with Comfort in Mind
Before starting any renovation, consult with Chicago Green Insulation.
• If you already have a contractor or plans in place, contact us to ensure that insulation is addressed properly before work begins.
• Adding a whole-house dehumidifier. Running Manual J on equipment sizing. Adding “tons” to the system is not the solution for a house that is too warm or uncomfortable—in fact, it can make it worse with “short cycling”.
• Fixing insulation issues after the fact is much more costly.
Humidity & Allergy Comfort Guide
Humidity plays a significant role in indoor comfort and the severity of allergies. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth, dust mites, and an overall clammy environment, even when temperatures are cool.
Simple Humidity Control Tips
- Ensure bathroom fans are vented to the outside.
- Run bathroom fans during and after showers.
- Avoid boiling water for long periods on hot, humid days.
- Use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking.
- Only use your dryer if it’s vented outside or during cooler hours.
- Use a whole-house or portable dehumidifier.
- Keep windows closed during peak humidity hours.
With ten years of experience selling spray foam insulation in Chicago, Tom Decker is THE person to call and the Chicago Green Insulation is the organization to hire when you are looking for top notch quality and performance as well as someone who can deal with the needs of code officials, home owners and general contractors. Call the others in Chicago, if you are interested in the cheapest price, call Chicago Green Insulation if you are interested in using your dollars to make Chicago a better city for all of us!
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation
Chicago Green Insulation