Hot, humid summers are a fact of life in the Midlands—and while your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool, it shouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting. If your AC is constantly running, your energy bills are climbing, or your home still feels warm and stuffy, it might be time to take a closer look at how your home is insulated and sealed.

At Koala Insulation of the Midlands, we help homeowners stay comfortable and energy-efficient all summer long. From attic insulation to air sealing and radiant barriers, we provide smart, affordable solutions to reduce the burden on your AC and keep your home cool—naturally.

In this blog, we’ll share how to keep your home cool without overworking your air conditioner and explain the long-term benefits of investing in insulation and home energy upgrades.

1. Insulate Your Attic for Maximum Cooling Power

The attic is one of the most overlooked sources of heat gain in a home. In the Midlands’ hot climate, attic temperatures can exceed 130°F during peak summer months. Without proper insulation, that heat radiates down into your living spaces, forcing your AC to run constantly to maintain comfort.

Benefits of attic insulation:

• Blocks heat transfer from the roof
• Keeps cool air inside your home
• Lowers indoor temperatures naturally
• Reduces AC run time and energy costs

Koala Insulation of the Midlands installs high-performance blown-in and spray foam insulation designed to resist heat and humidity—keeping your home cooler from the top down.

2. Seal Air Leaks to Stop Heat Infiltration

Even with strong insulation, small air leaks can allow hot, humid air to sneak into your home and force your AC to work overtime. Gaps around windows, doors, attic hatches, and ductwork create invisible pathways for conditioned air to escape and outside air to enter.

Air sealing helps:

• Eliminate drafts and hot spots
• Improve insulation effectiveness
• Keep conditioned air where it belongs
• Enhance indoor comfort and air quality

Our team performs detailed air sealing services to close gaps and cracks throughout your home, helping your AC run less—and your energy bills drop.

3. Add a Radiant Barrier for Extra Heat Protection

A radiant barrier is a reflective material installed in the attic that deflects radiant heat from the sun before it can enter your home. It’s an excellent supplement to traditional insulation, especially in hot southern climates like South Carolina.

Radiant barriers:

• Reflect up to 97% of radiant heat
• Reduce attic temperatures by 20–30 degrees
• Improve HVAC efficiency
• Extend the lifespan of your roof and insulation

When installed by Koala Insulation of the Midlands, a radiant barrier can dramatically reduce how hard your AC has to work during the hottest days of summer.

4. Use Smart Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat is a powerful tool—if used wisely. Setting it just a few degrees higher can have a big impact on your AC’s workload without sacrificing comfort.

Cooling tips:

• Set the thermostat to 75–78°F when you’re home
• Use programmable settings to reduce AC use while you’re away
• Avoid drastic temperature changes that make your AC cycle frequently

Pairing a smart thermostat with quality insulation and sealing helps maintain consistent temperatures without constant adjustments.

5. Utilize Fans to Circulate Cool Air

Ceiling and box fans don’t cool the air, but they help circulate it, making rooms feel cooler through wind chill. This allows you to raise your thermostat a few degrees while still staying comfortable.

Tips for fan use:

• Set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise in summer
• Turn fans off when leaving a room
• Combine with open windows in the evening for natural cooling

Fans are especially effective in rooms that feel warmer due to poor circulation—often a sign of insulation or air leak issues.

6. Keep Sunlight Out with Window Treatments

Direct sunlight is one of the main sources of heat inside your home during summer. Using energy-efficient window coverings helps reduce solar heat gain and protects your AC from working harder than it needs to.

Use:

• Blackout curtains or thermal drapes
• Cellular or honeycomb shades
• Window film to reflect UV rays

Blocking the sun at its source reduces indoor temperatures and lowers your cooling demand, especially in south- and west-facing rooms.

7. Maintain Your AC System

A clean, well-maintained air conditioning system runs more efficiently and lasts longer.

Regular maintenance includes:

• Replacing air filters every 1–2 months
• Cleaning vents and return ducts
• Scheduling annual professional inspections

When paired with home efficiency improvements like insulation and air sealing, your AC will perform at its best—cooling your home faster, quieter, and more affordably.

8. Insulate Your Crawl Space or Garage

Many homes in the Midlands have unconditioned crawl spaces or garages that allow heat and humidity to seep into the rest of the house. Insulating these areas can help protect your home from unwanted temperature swings.

Koala Insulation of the Midlands offers crawl space and garage insulation solutions that add comfort, reduce moisture, and prevent outdoor heat from affecting indoor living areas.

9. Upgrade Older Insulation

If your home was built more than 15 years ago, your insulation may be outdated, damaged, or underperforming. Over time, insulation can settle, shift, or lose its R-value—reducing its ability to protect your home from heat.

A free evaluation from Koala Insulation of the Midlands can determine whether your home would benefit from upgraded insulation and sealing improvements.

Conclusion: A Cooler Home Starts with Koala Insulation

Keeping your home cool in the summer isn’t just about running the air conditioner—it’s about making your home as efficient as possible so your AC doesn’t have to work harder than it should. With proper attic insulation, air sealing, and radiant barrier installation, you can enjoy a cooler, more comfortable home while lowering your energy bills.

At Koala Insulation of the Midlands, we specialize in home comfort solutions that make a real difference. Our team will assess your home and recommend the upgrades that will help you beat the heat—and stop overworking your AC.

Call us today at (803) 728-6082 or visit https://koalainsulation.com/midlands to schedule your free estimate.

Cool smarter. Save more. Count on Koala Insulation.