I own a mid-century modern home that was built in 1978, and I'm really struggling with keeping it cool. The house has single-pane windows that cover most of the south-facing wall, and the insulation in the attic is that fluffy hamster bedding style, which doesn't seem to provide much help. Even though I installed a new 40 ton AC unit that blows cold air strongly, it feels warm inside. I've added cellular shades for about half of the windows, which helped a little during cooler days, but now that summer temperatures are hitting the 90s, I'm running the AC all day and it still doesn't feel cool, not even at night. I compared my temperature settings to a newer home with high ceilings, which felt much cooler at the same thermostat setting. What am I missing?
3 Answers
You might want to check your thermostat settings and how many vents are in your house. It’s good that you have one in the center, but if airflow isn’t circulating well, it won’t feel cool. Keeping your shade closed during the day and using reflective film on windows can help too. Plus, consider that if your AC is running constantly but freezing up, that could indicate it's low on refrigerant or there's airflow restriction. Be sure to check your air filter too; it could be a simple fix!
If you're dealing with a hot and humid climate, that humidity can trick you into feeling warmer, even when it’s a comfortable temperature set on the thermostat. Installing a dehumidifier could drastically change how your home feels. It really helped my place! You might want to check if there's a way to drain it directly though, so you're not always emptying it manually.
That’s a great tip! We had a similar experience, and getting a dehumidifier changed the game for us. Extra moisture can definitely make 74° feel like 80°!
It sounds like you might need an energy audit to really pinpoint the issues. Your old attic insulation and single-pane windows are likely the main culprits affecting your energy efficiency. Think about getting double-pane windows eventually, but also consider that adding insulation to the attic can make a huge difference. If you're up for a DIY project, good ventilation is key too. If you already have a gable fan, make sure it's set up correctly, or consider adding soffit vents if you don't have them.
Thanks for the advice! I’m planning to get estimates for insulation soon. I do have a couple of vents, but they’re just standard ones, so maybe I’ll look into improving that too.
Totally agree! Just had my AC check up, and they found the airflow was blocked in a few spots. After clearing it up, my place has been feeling way better.