PEARLAND Blog

4 Temperature Regulation Improvements To Increase Savings

Temperature regulation is crucial for keeping your home safe and comfortable throughout the year. Have you noticed that one room or even an entire side of your home struggles to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer compared to the rest of your home? Has there been a significant decrease in your indoor air quality that irritates your allergies and creates an uncomfortable environment? If you’re struggling, here are a few simple ways to improve your home.

Understanding Temperature Regulation

Temperature regulation is the ability to maintain an even temperature; in the case of your home, it's how effectively your environment can stay comfortable and evenly heated or cooled throughout the year. Essentially, if you plug in the desired temperature into your thermostat, will the house be able to keep that temperature equally without needing to constantly kick on the HVAC unit? 

There are many different variables to consider when trying to maintain temperature regulation in your home. If you notice your system struggling, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the fault of an old or damaged AC unit or furnace. Problems with your insulation, air sealing, and even the ventilation could be creating drafts, old spots, and discomfort. If you’re having difficulty with temperature control, here are a few adjustments you can make before winter starts to settle in. 

4 Simple Temperature Regulation Improvements

1 - Clearing Your Air Ducts

Your home’s air ducts and their connecting vents contribute to not only moving heat and cooled air throughout the house but also improving indoor air quality and reducing health risks. As you were moving things into your home when you first arrived, did you consciously notice where these heating vents were and what furniture may be covering the spaces? 

While covering vents around the house is a common mistake for first-time renters and homebuyers, it's not unheard of for veteran homeowners to forget about where they're moving couches, bed frames, and even storage boxes. If you're blocking the air vents, this not only disrupts effective airflow, but you also may be allowing dust, dirt, and other debris to pile up in these ducts. 

The most simple solution is to simply shift your furniture around and vacuum out any problematic vents in order to collect most of the blockage. After you've cleaned and readjusted the air vents, a local professional can provide more information on the quality of your home's vent system. However, the worst-case scenario for neglected vents means you may need to have an expert inspect the system for damaged ducts that may require more thorough cleaning; this is typically the case in older homes that may not have been well maintained by previous owners or over the last few years. 

2 - Updating Your Air Sealing

Air sealing is the process of closing up any problematic gaps, racks, and holes throughout the building envelope by filling it with sealant or repairing the damages. This helps to prevent air leaks that increase drafts, irregular temperatures, and increased utility bills. It’s estimated by the EPA that homeowners can save upwards of 15% on heating and cooling bills after their insulation and air sealing has been updated. 

Homeowners will typically find common air sealing problems around window sills, door jams, and other outdoor access points. In most cases, these structures don't need to be replaced unless there's extreme wear - for example if your home hasn't been renovated since the 1908s or in the case of a recent natural disaster. However, reduced air quality and air leakage are most often attributed to the smaller cracks and gaps that can easily be filled in, saving you more than just nickels and dimes each month. 

3 - Upgrading Deteriorated Insulation

The insulation you find throughout the house is a significant contributor to temperature regulation in your building, especially since this is considered the primary function of the material. While you’re more than likely already familiar with the insulation throughout the attic, did you know that you can find material in your walls, in between ceiling joists, and even underneath your floorboards? 

The quality of material in these areas can be difficult to deduce without the help of an industry expert. Using advanced techniques such as thermal imaging, Koala Insulation of Pearland can help to evaluate the current condition of your home’s insulation to determine how well the material reduces the rate of heat transfer.

Retrofitting insulation provides you with the opportunity to assess the current material, locate pain points, and replace any insulation in target areas that need quality improvement. This includes applying insulation to poorly covered areas, removing deteriorated material, and re-insulating older sections. Although many insulation types can last up to 15 years, there are many factors that can affect the rate of deterioration: moisture, pest infestation, natural damage, etc. Removing and replacing the old or damaged insulation helps to keep each floor and room temperature regulated. 

4 - Installing Smart Thermostats

Simple adjustments aren't just about easy-to-complete tasks and practices to keep in mind throughout the lifespan of your home. It's also important to consider the quality return on investment opportunities! A smart thermostat can significantly change the way your home is heated and cooled, saving you on regular utility bills while also increasing energy efficiency. These devices provide your household with the ability to: 

• Schedule temperature adjustments 
• Control your home’s temperature directly from your phone, even when you’re away from the house
• Adjust the changes in temperature to improve energy efficiency based on device feedback

If you or someone in your household isn't especially confident in using smart devices, these systems often provide easy-to-navigate suggestions and data to improve your quality of life. For many systems, the user interface is adjustable in order to cater to every level of expertise, with the default view and controls most often set up for beginners. 

Locate More Southeastern Texan Deals With Local Experts

When it comes to finding cost-effective and energy-efficient products, it's important to have the right team supporting you. With the latest industry practices and environmentally friendly materials, our team of insulation professionals at Koala Insulation of Pearland is dedicated to improving our community. On top of finding the right material for your home's unique needs, we also offer free evaluations so you and your household have a better understanding of where your home could use quality updates. Contact Koala Insulation of Pearland today to schedule your free evaluation and learn more about how updated insulation and air sealing can improve your monthly savings.