5 Good Tips for Better Home Comfort on a Budget
Human nature is such that it is very predictable that everyone calls us all at once when the house does not meet your needs; this blog is for you as you consider your options but need help NOW! If this solves your issues, great! If this helps you get through until you can afford to get the right work done, that is also great! If this is the first of several steps, please know we recommend these steps to all clients or potential clients as we are doing our best to help everyone!
Your home is super hot on the second floor during the summer and struggles to maintain temperature in freezing weather; the issue likely revolves around airflow and heat distribution rather than just insulation. Here are five things you can do to make your home more comfortable without adding insulation:
The first step in this is understanding the temperatures reaching each of the “supplies” (The ducts coming from your HVAC for homes with Radiators; the same thing will apply to the temperature of the radiators) in your home. Set the thermostat to 10 degrees warmer/ cooler than normal and go to each of the supplies in your home to map the temperature of the air/ radiator in each room so we can have that information regarding how the equipment is operating. If the coldest room in the winter also has the coldest air from the register or the coldest radiator, you likely have mechanical issues to address before moving on with any project. In my two decades of visiting homes and diagnosing issues, it is shockingly common to have ducts that offer little or no heat or even the one home that had a radiator FREEZE on a super cold Chicago night, something I thought was impossible. Gathering this information will provide insight into the supply of heat, even as these next steps work to be a better job of distributing in the heating/ cooling around your home.
All homes will have some differences in the temperatures of the home at the top, bottom and the furthest areas from the HVAC. These steps are intended not to “solve” but to even out the temperature disparities from your home’s hot/cold areas before getting us to “fix” the thermal loss/ air leakage.
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Improve Air Circulation with Fans and Ventilation
One of the main reasons the second floor becomes so hot in the winter is because hot air naturally rises. Improving air circulation can help manage this heat buildup, pulling back air that is too warm and distributing it to the cooler/ colder areas of your home in the winter and the opposite during the summer, moving hot areas to the cooler areas.
Use Ceiling Fans: Install or use ceiling fans to create a cooling breeze in the summer. Running the fan counterclockwise in summer can push cool air and circulate it. In winter, switch the fan’s direction to clockwise, which helps redistribute warm air that rises to the ceiling.
Portable and Box Fans: To create a cross-breeze, you can place fans near open windows. At night, box fans can pull cool air in from outside during cooler outdoor temperatures.
Proper air circulation improves comfort by balancing the temperature throughout your home, reducing the severity of temperature extremes.
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Optimize HVAC System
Your HVAC system might be working hard, but without proper airflow, it may struggle to maintain an even temperature across all areas of your home. Implementing these measures can help you manage your HVAC more efficiently.
Adjust Air Vents: In the summer, close or partially close the supply vents on the lower floor to push more cool air to the upper floor. In winter, reverse this by opening vents on the lower floor and partially closing the upper vents to keep warm air circulating downstairs.
Balance the Dampers: If your home has a forced-air HVAC system, adjusting the dampers within the ductwork can redirect air where it’s needed most. You can increase airflow to areas that are harder to heat or cool and reduce airflow to rooms that maintain temperature more easily.
Use a Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat can help manage uneven temperatures better by learning the patterns of your home’s temperature swings and adjusting heating and cooling cycles accordingly. For two-story homes, some smart thermostats have sensors you can place on different floors to more accurately control the temperature in areas that matter the most. Put the fan is “always on” mode to force it to move air. In the summer, on a Nest Thermostat, set it to “Cool to Dry” to pull moisture out of the air beyond the set point to keep the air dryer and make your home more comfortable.
While these steps won’t replace proper insulation, they can help your HVAC system work more efficiently to maintain comfort.
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Control Solar Heat Gain
In the summer, solar heat gain through windows can significantly raise the temperature in your home, particularly on the upper floors. Reducing this heat gain can help keep your home cooler and reduce the load on your air conditioning system.
Use Reflective Window Films: Applying reflective window films to windows, particularly on south- and west-facing windows, can block a significant amount of heat from entering your home during the summer. This can drastically reduce the amount of heat buildup in upstairs rooms.
Blackout or Thermal Curtains: During the hottest parts of the day, close curtains or blinds to prevent sunlight from heating the rooms. Blackout or thermal curtains can further reduce the heat entering your home. In the winter, you can also use these curtains to reduce heat loss through windows.
Exterior Shade: Planting trees or installing awnings outside of windows can provide shade and reduce solar heat gain naturally. If long-term options like planting trees aren’t feasible, consider using temporary shade solutions like outdoor shades or umbrellas.
By reducing the amount of direct sunlight entering your home, you can keep upper floors cooler without needing to use more energy.
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Use Targeted Heating Solutions
If your HVAC system has trouble maintaining the thermostat set point in freezing weather, it may be beneficial to use targeted heating solutions for specific areas of the house.
Space Heaters: For rooms that tend to stay colder than others during the winter, portable space heaters can provide supplemental heat without relying entirely on your main HVAC system. They are especially useful in bedrooms or areas where you spend the most time. Be sure to use them safely, keeping them away from flammable materials and never leaving them unattended.
Electric Blankets or Heated Mattress Pads: These can keep bedrooms comfortable at night without raising the entire house’s thermostat. They are a cost-effective way to maintain warmth in colder rooms without overworking your HVAC system. They make heated mattress pads for adult and baby-size mattresses that will do wonders for an unhappy family member, regardless of age.
Using localized heating, you can stay warm in the areas that need it most without pushing your central system to its limits.
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Seal Drafts and Air Leaks
Drafts and air leaks can significantly impact both heating and cooling. Cold air can seep in during the winter, while cool air can escape during the summer, making it challenging to maintain a comfortable temperature. Fortunately, you can address many of these issues with low-cost, temporary solutions.
Weatherstripping and Caulking: Add or replace weatherstripping around doors and windows, and use caulk to seal cracks and gaps. These small actions can help retain heat in the winter and keep cool air inside during the summer. Removable weatherstripping can be used for windows that are opened seasonally.
Door Sweeps and Draft Stoppers: Installing door sweeps or using draft stoppers at the base of doors can block cold drafts in the winter and prevent cool air from escaping in the summer. These are inexpensive and easy to install, making a big difference in areas where cold air infiltrates the most.
Plastic Window Film: In the winter, applying plastic window film can create an insulating barrier over windows, reducing heat loss. These films are easy to apply and can be removed once the weather warms up.
By addressing drafts, you can improve your home’s ability to retain heat and cool air, making temperature regulation more manageable and consistent.
Conclusion
While insulation and air sealing are critical long-term solutions for temperature regulation, there are several strategies you can implement in the short term to improve comfort. You can make your home more comfortable in both summer and winter by improving air circulation, optimizing your HVAC system, controlling solar heat gain, using targeted heating solutions, and sealing air leaks. These practical, low-cost solutions can help mitigate extreme temperatures in your home until you’re ready to invest more significantly in insulation or air sealing.
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