Where Does My Home Lose The Most Cool Air From?

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Due to the hot and humid South Florida climate, homeowners agree that maintaining a cool and comfortable home is often a challenge. Often, the loss of cool air through several common areas puts extra pressure on the air conditioning system, impacts overall comfort, and pushes up energy bills. Professional air conditioning technicians have the knowledge and expertise to identify and fix air leaks, leaving your home energy efficient, cool, and comfortable.

Here are the 5 areas in a home where cool air is commonly lost:

5 Areas In The Home Where Cool Air Is Commonly Lost

To enhance your comfort and prevent cool air from escaping, you need to be aware of five key areas in the home that allow cool air to escape. The areas, among others, that allow cool air to escape include:

• Windows & doors
• Attic & roof
• AC Ductwork
• Walls & floors
• Ventilation system

1. Windows & Doors

Windows and doors allow a substantial amount of cool air to escape and warm air to enter the room. Reasons for this include:

• Single pane windows – some older homes still have single pane windows which are not energy efficient. Their ability to insulate and regulate temperature is not as efficient as the more modern, double-pane windows.
• Poor sealing around windows and doors – Gaps and cracks, even small, allow cool air to escape and hot air to enter the room.
• Frequent use – Doors and windows that are opened and closed often result in regular, large volumes of heat exchange.

Solutions To Prevention Of Window And Door Heat Exchange

• Upgrade windows. Install double or triple-pane windows, with low emissivity coating (low E) that helps to reduce air loss, throughout the home.
• Upgrade doors to storm doors that create an extra barrier against heat loss.
• Seal all gaps and cracks around windows and doors.
• Minimize opening and closing windows and doors wherever possible.

2. Attic & Roof

Homeowners are often unaware of how much cool air they lose from the attic and roof. Poor insulation and inadequate ventilation allow South Florida’s intense sunlight to significantly heat the attic and affect the temperature inside the home.

Solutions To Prevention Of Cool Air Loss From The Attic And Roof

• Adequate insulation – ensure the roof and attic have sufficient insulation with materials like cellulose, spray foam, or fiberglass. These materials prevent the escape of cool areas and also assist in keeping moisture, mold, and mildew out of the attic.
• Installing radiant heat barriers will reflect heat away from the attic and keep the cool air in the home.
• Improving the ventilation in the attic prevents hot air from accumulating in the attic, and cool air from escaping. Attic fans, ridge, and soffit vents assist in attic ventilation and retention of cool air.

3. AC Ductwork

If not properly maintained, the AC ductwork that is responsible for the distribution of cool air can be a significant source of cool air loss. Key issues that would allow the escape of cool air from ductwork include:

• Leaks – cracks, gaps, or holes in the AC ductwork will allow cool air, en route to the room, to escape.
• Inadequate insulation – Uninsulated ducts are more likely to allow cool air to escape than ducts that are properly insulated. This is especially relevant in unconditioned spaces like attics.
• Design flaws – Incorrect duct design and installation result in uneven cool air distribution and air loss.

Solutions To Prevention Of AC Ductwork Cool Air Loss

• Consult expert technicians to clean the AC duct system.
• Seal all leaks, gaps and holes with mastic sealant or metal tape.
• Ensure ducts are properly insulated, especially in unconditioned spaces like attics.
• Consult HVAC specialists to inspect the ducting system to ensure correct installation.

4. Walls & Floors

Walls and floors can allow a considerable amount of cool air to escape if they are not properly insulated or sealed. Significant cool air escapes through walls and floors if:

• The walls and floors are not properly insulated.
• The walls or floors have gaps or cracks that have not been addressed.

Solutions To Prevention Of Cool Air Escaping From Walls And Floors

• Consult professional contractors to inspect the walls and floors of your home, and confirm they are properly insulated.
• Ensure all gaps or cracks are traced and sealed with caulk or other sealants.

5. Ventilation System

Vital to maintaining air quality, the ventilation can, if not properly maintained, significantly contribute to cool air loss. Ways in which the ventilation system can contribute to air loss include:

• Poor balance – A poorly balanced ventilation system can result in significant air leakage.
• Dirty filters – Clogged and dirty filters obstruct airflow and cause the HVAC to work harder, This could lead to damage that results in cool air leakage.
• Incorrect venting – inadequate or incorrect venting can contribute to cool air loss.

Solutions To Prevention Of Cool Air Escape Via The Ventilation System

• Installing correctly balanced ventilation systems. Examples of balanced ventilation systems include Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV’s) or energy recovery ventilators (ERV’s).
• Regular maintenance and cleaning of filters to maintain unobstructed airflow.
• Ensuring that all vents are adequately sealed and insulated.

Why Professional Air Conditioning Services Are Necessary

To maintain an efficient and effective cooling system, it is essential homeowners consult professional air conditioning specialists. Professional HVAC specialists will:

• Conduct routine maintenance that can identify and address issues before they become major problems. They will also identify areas of cool air leakage and recommend improvements.
• Ensure that air conditioning units, ductwork, and insulation are installed correctly to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency.