Most people don’t spend a lot of time in their attics, so they tend not to think about them very often. But did you know that your attic might be responsible for some of your home’s comfort and efficiency problems? Today we’re going to discuss why your attic can affect the performance of your air conditioner and go over some of the most common attic problems that we find in St. Louis area homes.
The problem your attic poses to your air conditioner
Since most attics are unconditioned and their roofs are in direct sunlight, they tend to get very hot during summer. It’s like an oven sitting right on top of your home! If your attic is not tightly sealed and well-insulated, the heat from your attic can infiltrate your home and lead to efficiency and performance problems with your air conditioner.
3 attic problems that can affect the performance of your air conditioner
- Conditioned air escapes home. One of the biggest problems you can experience with your attic is air leaks. If you have any leaks in your attic that lead to your home’s living spaces, cool air can escape your home and hot air from your attic can get inside. This will heat your home, leading to comfort problems and forcing your air conditioner to work harder and consume more energy.
- Unfiltered air is allowed into home. Another problem with air leaks is that they allow unconditioned air to get into your home. This is especially problematic with your attic because dust tends to build up in large amounts there. If unfiltered air from your attic gets into your home, it can cause your air filter to clog up faster and allow dust to build upon your system components. This will decrease your air conditioner’s efficiency and could lead to breakdowns, not to mention the health effects unfiltered air can have on your family.
- Lack of insulation heats up the home. Insulation prevents the flow of heat from one place to another. If your attic floor is not properly insulated, the heat from your attic can infiltrate your home and cause your living spaces to heat up. This is another issue that leads to an uncomfortable home and efficiency problem with your air conditioner.
If you have any questions about how your attic can affect the performance of your air conditioner, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Charles, MO, air conditioning company. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like Clayton, Cottleville, and Creve Coeur.
photo credit: soup boy via photopin cc
