Why Is My House So Hot In The Summer?

During winter, you longed for the warmth of summertime. But as soon as summer arrived, it brought heat and humidity with it. No matter how much you crank the thermostat, your house is too hot, or not comfortable enough. What do you have to do to cool it down? Is the AC broken? How much will it cost to fix?

Houses that are hot in the summer generally have two potential issues: insulation or HVAC. The issue could be one or both of these problems. South Central Services has years of experience in both. We have worked with hundreds of clients to diagnose this problem and to find the right solution. Everyone should be able to feel comfortable in their own home, no matter the temperature outside.

By the end of this article, you will know:

• The top 6 causes of unwanted heat in the summer
• Solutions you can try to make your home more comfortable
• Which professionals to contact for more involved fixes

1. Poor Air Circulation

If your home has poor air circulation, the temperatures could be inconsistent throughout the house. Some rooms may be hotter than others, and the air can feel stale.

Solutions For Poor Air Circulation

Air circulation is the movement of air inside of your home created by a mechanical system, like a heat pump, air conditioning unit, or furnace. The problem with poor air circulation is that even if your cooling system can create cool air, the cool air can't reach you or your room. This is a symptom of the mechanical system.

If the system has not been properly installed to evenly distribute conditioned air to all areas of the home, the system can create “warm pockets” through the house. Some rooms will be a comfortable temperature, while others are uncomfortable.

To solve poor air circulation, start with your HVAC system. Some aspects of the system may need to be replaced. The system itself may need to be a different size for your home.

Who Can Fix Poor Air Circulation?

An HVAC contractor should be able to help you troubleshoot further. Costs could include a service call and replacement parts.

2. Air Leakage

If your home has air leakage, the temperatures in your home are inconsistent: not necessarily from room to room but from spot to spot. It seems extra hot by your doors, windows, and the corners of your home.

Solutions For Air Leakage

Air leakage occurs when there are gaps in your home that air can infiltrate. The problem with air leakage is the uncontrolled air seeping into your home is bringing heat and humidity along with it.

When a leaky home allows hot, humid air to infiltrate, the HVAC system has to work overtime to combat the air leakage. The system may not be able to keep up with managing the overall temperature and humidity of the home.

To solve air leakage, you will want to locate where the air is leaking from your home. The Department of Energy has a helpful article about finding and sealing some air leakage. If you are more comfortable with a professional, a home energy audit may be a good way to identify the problem areas.

Who Can Fix Air Leakage?

If serious problems persist after caulking and weatherstripping the leaks you find, you may also want to contact an insulation contractor. Insulation specialists can pinpoint where the air is leaking and what the most cost-effective solution will be.

3. Poor Humidity Control

If your home lacks humidity control, you feel sticky. You always feel like you are sweating. Sometimes you would rather be outside in the dry heat just to feel drier.

Solutions For Poor Humidity Control

There is always moisture in the air. The problem with poor humidity control is how much moisture can linger in the air. An excess of moisture, combined with heat, creates a swampy feeling.

Humidity can also lead to structural damage and mold problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, humidity levels should be no higher than 60%.

To solve humidity problems, you can invest in a dehumidifier. A stand-alone machine, which retails for about $100 to $250, can help to take excessive moisture from the air. However, for best results, you would want to invest in a whole-house dehumidifier. These systems must be installed by a professional and could cost as much as $1,500.

Who Can Fix Humidity Issues?

A whole-house dehumidifier may be the solution you need. You may also want to contact an HVAC contractor about your HVAC system. An oversized HVAC system may be the culprit, not allowing the system to properly control humidity levels in the home.

4. Problematic Windows

If your home is overheating from the windows, your favorite rooms are no longer the ones that bring in the sunshine. Despite the cheerful sunbeams, you feel like you are baking every time you sit in the room.

Solutions For Problematic Windows

As vital as sunlight is for our health and happiness, solar energy contains heat. The problem with older or single-pane windows is their inability to prevent the light passing through from converting to radiating heat energy.

Solutions for windows range in price and difficulty. The most costly solution is investing in double- or triple-pane windows. New windows will offer the most energy efficiency, but can cost as much as $1,000 per window.

More affordable solutions can help to block some sunlight and heat transfer for much lower investment cost. The Department of Energy has an article detailing some solutions like blinds, curtains, and coatings. If new windows are out of budget, one of those solutions can help provide some relief.

Who Can Fix Window Problems?

Blinds and curtains are purchases you can make and install yourself. Window treatments and coatings are offered by professionals and in do-it-yourself kits. New window installation, however, requires contacting a window professional.

5. Poorly-Sized HVAC Equipment

If your home has the wrong size of HVAC equipment, the house is cool for five minutes before heating up again. You can hear the thermostat kick on, but it kicks off again soon after. You'll set the thermostat low, only to find the temperature climbing back up.

Solutions For Improperly-Sized HVAC Equipment

HVAC equipment is not one-size-fits-all. Building design will influence what HVAC components best serve a space. The problem with the wrong HVAC system is that it cannot support the ventilation and circulation of cool air through your home.

Who Can Resize HVAC Equipment?

To solve this problem, you will need to consult an HVAC contractor. Many variables impact the ideal HVAC system. Other issues, like poor humidity control and ventilation, may also be at play. It is unlikely for a homeowner to choose the right system on their own, even with substantial research.

6. Poor Attic Insulation

If your home has poor attic insulation, your attic is an oven. If you walk up those stairs, it is easily over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. That heat pushes through the ceiling of your home and invades the main floor of the house.

Solutions For Poor Attic Insulation

Lack of attic insulation is the most common culprit of a hot home. There are two problems with poor attic insulation. One problem is the lack of air-sealing, which allows heat to transfer via convection from your attic to the rest of your house.

Another problem can be heat gain in the ductwork of your HVAC system. The ductwork responsible for transferring conditioned air can become overheated from the attic air. This forces the HVAC system to work harder to counter this heat gain.

Two possible solutions for attics insulation are fiberglass and spray foam. Fiberglass insulation comes in batts and as loose fill. Fiberglass tends to be a popular solution because handy homeowners can install it themselves with personal protective equipment. However, effective fiberglass must be installed with enough depth and precision to prevent gaps.

Another solution is spray foam. This solution is less common because it requires hiring a professional contractor, as well as removing existing insulation. However, there are many benefits to insulating an attic with spray foam.

For example, spray foam insulation can stop conduction and radiation heat transfer through an air-seal. Fiberglass, on the other hand, only prevents convection heat transfer. While spray foam is more expensive, it also offers more features than fiberglass.

Who Can Fix Insufficient Attic Insulation?

An insulation contractor can help to evaluate what type of insulation will work best in your home and what will fit your budget. While fiberglass batting may fit in your attic, there may be an alternative insulation that will give you a greater insulating value. Spray foam is a more premium insulation which will keep your home cooler and your energy bills lower.

The Bottom Line About Why Your House Is So Hot In The Summer

Feeling hot and sticky is uncomfortable. No one wants to feel uncomfortable at home or pay the energy bills from trying to put a bandage on things.

Depending on the ultimate problem, there are less expensive things you can do to help the heat in your home. Examples are a dehumidifier, a fan, a set of curtains, or trying to caulk some air leakage areas.

However, most of these problems do not have do-it-yourself solutions that deliver the results you need. To truly solve the problem of why your home is so hot in the summer, you should contact a professional related to the area of concern.

Use this summary chart to find the appropriate contractor to solve your problem.

The right contractor can help you troubleshoot what is wrong and how to fix it. In our experience, lack of attic insulation is the most common problem.

If your house is hot due to air leakage or poor attic insulation, your next step is to:

• Diagnose if your attic needs insulation
• Compare your options for attic insulation
• Estimate the cost of spray foam in your attic