I've been stuck in a heatwave this week and noticed that the south-facing walls and roof of my house get a lot hotter than other areas, especially where there's shade. I used a tc004 mini thermometer to check, and the temperature difference was surprising! I'm curious about what changes others have made to insulation or exterior upgrades that help keep indoor temperatures down in the summer. Any tips?
4 Answers
My attic can hit around 140°F during heatwaves! I added radiant barrier foil under the roof decking, and it brought my indoor temps down by about 3-4 degrees. It's a cheap fix that actually made a difference.
I totally understand! In my home, the south-facing rooms heat up in the morning while the north side gets hit by the low-angle sun in the afternoon. It feels like a sauna if I don't manage it well. The key for me has been closing blackout curtains early, around 9-10am for the south side and 1-3pm on the north side. I also use a smart thermostat to pre-cool those rooms, which helps a ton!
Not bad for me. A Linden tree planted by a previous owner blocks the sun for half the day, so my interior walls only get up to 77-78°F during heatwaves. My attic may heat up, but the insulation helps a lot.
Adding attic insulation and switching to light-colored roofing made a huge impact for me! The rooms have been noticeably cooler ever since.