I've done quite a bit of home improvement lately, and I'm confused because my house feels hotter than ever this summer after installing new windows. To give you a bit of background: I started by putting in new attic insulation last year, which really helped with comfort. Then, I installed solar panels and air conditioning in the spring of 2023, but I didn't have to use the AC much until late summer. This past winter, I replaced my old windows with new double-pane low E windows from WMB. Since then, despite the outside temperatures being moderate, my home has become uncomfortable and humid, leading me to run the AC constantly. I'm trying to figure out if I should get a solar attic fan to help reduce the heat in the attic. Any advice?
4 Answers
It might also help to reevaluate your AC unit's size. Since you’ve made changes to the house, it might need to be recalibrated. I notice you're in a humid area; controlling humidity is just as crucial as cooling. You could use a site like coolcalc.com for a load calculation. If your AC is oversized, think about getting a whole-home dehumidifier to help manage moisture effectively.
Have you checked if humidity levels are higher inside than outside? It could be that moisture is building up in your home. Also, if there are no basements or aquariums to contribute to humidity, consider if the number of people living there has increased—more people means more moisture in the air! If outdoor temps are fine, why not just crack a window a bit to let some air in?
One more thing to consider: when I had new windows installed, I noticed the installers didn't use enough foam around them. I ended up sealing them myself, and it made a big difference. Ensure there are no gaps—using window foam can fix lots of issues with temperature consistency across rooms!
It sounds like your house might be sealing up too tightly after all the upgrades. I had a similar issue when I got a new build; they insisted we leave the bathroom exhaust fan running to help with ventilation. Your attic needs good airflow, too. Consider running an exhaust fan on low on particularly hot days to see if that helps with the stuffiness.
Not sure that advice is right. A tighter home is usually more energy-efficient. Still, you do need air exchange to avoid CO2 buildup. It’s good that you're retrofitting, though; that usually helps with efficiency.