Cut Your Cincinnati Home’s Cooling Load to Save Big

It doesn’t matter the efficiency your air conditioner is rated at – if your home is taking on heat, it’s not going to perform as expected. A whole range of issues could be increasing your Cincinnati home’s cooling load (the rate of cooling needed to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels within), forcing your air conditioner to work harder and expend more energy this summer. Below, we’ve identified some cooling load-increasing culprits and how you can fix them.

1. Heat enters through cracks in the home

The outdoor temperatures are extreme this type of year, and most of us go inside to escape – but if your home isn’t properly sealed, that outdoor heat and humidity is coming in, too. It infiltrates your home through cracks, such as those around a door jamb or window frame, under a door that doesn’t have weather stripping, gaps around vents, and other areas.

To prevent this heat and humidity from increasing your cooling load, take the time to identify and seal these cracks. Use approved compounds, found at your home improvement store, to seal the interior and exterior of a crack. Apply weather stripping to the exterior doors. These improvements will help you reduce the cooling load now, and your heating load in the winter by keeping cold air out.

2. Avoid heat-producing appliances and other items

You probably know that using your oven will make your home warmer, but did you know something as small as your lightbulbs can increase indoor temperatures? Incandescent light bulbs can reach temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat produced is given off to the space surrounding it – your interiors.

If those old incandescent light bulbs are still in use around your home, it’s time to trade them in for efficient CFLs or LEDs. Not only will these energy-efficient bulbs save electricity, but they can operate at temperatures hundreds of degrees less than incandescents! These bulbs will keep your home cooler and boost efficiency on more than one front.

Nelson Comfort is committed to helping Cincinnati homeowners beat the heat this summer – for more savings strategies, contact us today!

About The Author

Dan Detmer

Dan Detmer is the owner of Nelson Comfort. Dan was born into the heating and cooling industry, coming from a family of well respected HVAC contractors in Dayton, Ohio. After working in the family business, Dan decided to work for a local HVAC wholesale business helping local contractors grow their business. When he felt his heart moving him back into the residential and light commercial business, Dan joined the Mortimer Heating & Cooling team in Cincinnati, where he had called home and become part of the community for several years. After a short period of time Dan purchased the company and created what is today, Nelson Comfort. Today he operates a company based on integrity, honesty, and stellar customer service. If you have any questions feel free to tweet (at sign) NelsonComfort and we will get right back with you!