The humidity was off the charts, often pushing the dew point into the mid-80s. With these extreme conditions, many of us encountered condensation issues, whether on the vents, walls, or other surfaces of our homes. This is often a sign of a weakness in the insulation or air barrier. In this blog, we’ll dive into the science behind condensation, the role of air conditioning and insulation, and compare summer and winter condensation issues.

The Science of Condensation

Condensation occurs when water vapor in the air cools down and turns into liquid water.

This is influenced by the dew point, which is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and water vapor begins to condense into liquid water. When the surface temperature of an object (e.g., a vent, wall, or window) falls below the dew point of the surrounding air, condensation will form on that surface.

Latent Heat and Air Conditioning

Latent heat is the energy required to change a substance from one state to another without changing its temperature.

For water, this includes the latent heat of evaporation and the latent heat of condensation (or vaporization). It takes about 970.4 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to evaporate one pound of water, and the same amount of energy is released when one pound of water vapor condenses back into liquid water.

An essential function of air conditioning is to remove humidity from the air, which involves converting water vapor into liquid water. This process not only cools the air but also helps to reduce the indoor humidity level. So, if you have your air conditioner set at 70°F and there’s an 85°F dew point outside, a leaky home will likely result in condensation issues. And here’s a little joke for you: if you don’t have enough “inches” upstairs (in your attic insulation), you might have a higher propensity for condensation issues. Ha ha!

Summer vs. Winter Condensation

Summer condensation often appears on cool surfaces, like air vents or walls,

where there is a weakness in the insulation or air barrier. In contrast, winter condensation usually occurs when the surface temperature of a window or wall is below the dew point inside the house. In both cases, the moisture from the inside condenses on the cooler surface, but the causes and solutions may differ.

Conclusion

Proper insulation and a well-sealed home are key to preventing condensation issues in both summer and winter. At MyGreenKC, we specialize in helping you improve your home’s insulation and air barrier to keep you comfortable year-round. Contact us today for a consultation and say goodbye to condensation woes!

Remember, if you’re dealing with condensation, it’s not just about the heat—it’s also about what’s hidden in the humidity. Stay cool and dry, everyone!

The post Condensation Sweating the Small Stuff: Summer and Winter Condensation Issues first appeared on Kansas City Attic Insulation Professionals | Energy Audits.

We’re all feeling the impact of these triple-digit temperatures. Our air conditioning units are working overtime, yet for many of us, our homes just aren’t as cool as we’d like.

At MyGreenKC, we’re here to help you find relief and help you understand a secret to home comfort that many overlook – effective insulation and proper air sealing.

While we often blame our cooling systems for not working efficiently during a heatwave, they may not be the real culprits. Yes, you heard right. Your AC might be shouldering an unnecessary burden due to a lesser-known issue: inadequate insulation and air leaks in your home.

Your home’s insulation acts like a shield, reducing the rate at which heat flows in and out. Just like a cooler keeps your drinks cold on a hot day, insulation helps keep your home cool by slowing down the movement of heat. Similarly, air sealing works to plug gaps and cracks where air can enter or exit your home, helping prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering.

When your home isn’t properly insulated or sealed, it’s like trying to hold your ice-cold lemonade in a cup full of holes. The result? Your AC has to work harder to keep up, driving up your energy bills and potentially reducing the lifespan of your system.

Investing in professional insulation and air sealing services can help your home withstand these extreme temperatures and ensure that your AC works more efficiently. A well-insulated and sealed home is more energy-efficient, helping you save on utility bills, reducing the strain on your cooling system, and increasing your home’s overall comfort level.

At MyGreenKC, we’re dedicated to providing you with top-tier insulation and air sealing services. Our experienced team will thoroughly assess your home, identify potential problem areas, and tailor an insulation and air sealing solution specifically for your home.

We understand that budget considerations might be holding you back from making these essential home improvements. That’s why we’re excited to offer Spire financing at just a 3% interest rate. We believe that everyone should have access to a comfortable, energy-efficient home, and with this financing option, it’s more attainable than ever.

By investing in effective insulation and air sealing, you’re not just investing in a short-term solution for this heatwave. You’re investing in the long-term health of your home, your comfort, and your wallet.

Kansas City, let’s help each other get through this heatwave and beyond. Contact MyGreenKC today to schedule a consultation, and let us help you many of our homes just aren’t as cool as we’d like. At MyGreenKC, we’re here to help you find relief and help you understand a secret to home comfort that many overlook – effective insulation and proper air sealing.

While we often blame our cooling systems for not working efficiently during a heatwave, they may not be the real culprits. Yes, you heard right. Your AC might be shouldering an unnecessary burden due to a lesser-known issue: inadequate insulation and air leaks in your home.

Your home’s insulation acts like a shield, reducing the rate at which heat flows in and out. Just like a cooler keeps your drinks cold on a hot day, insulation helps keep your home cool by slowing down the movement of heat. Similarly, air sealing works to plug gaps and cracks where air can enter or exit your home, helping prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering.

When your home isn’t properly insulated or sealed, it’s like trying to hold your ice-cold lemonade in a cup full of holes. The result? Your AC has to work harder to keep up, driving up your energy bills and potentially reducing the lifespan of your system.

Investing in professional insulation and air sealing services can help your home withstand these extreme temperatures and ensure that your AC works more efficiently. A well-insulated and sealed home is more energy-efficient, helping you save on utility bills, reducing the strain on your cooling system, and increasing your home’s overall comfort level.

At #MyGreenKC, we’re dedicated to providing you with top-tier insulation and air sealing services. Our experienced team will thoroughly assess your home, identify potential problem areas, and tailor an insulation and air sealing solution specifically for your home.

We understand that budget considerations might be holdingr you back from making these essential home improvements. That’s why we’re excited to offer Spire financing at just a 3% interest rate. We believe that everyone should have access to a comfortable, energy-efficient home, and with this financing option, it’s more attainable than ever.

By investing in effective insulation and air sealing, you’re not just investing in a short-term solution for this heatwave. You’re investing in the long-term health of your home, your comfort, and your wallet.

Kansas City, let’s help each other get through this heatwave and beyond. Contact MyGreenKC today to schedule a consultation, and let us help you

The post My Air Conditioner Can’t keep up – it’s not the heat it’s the humidity. first appeared on Kansas City Attic Insulation Professionals | Energy Audits.

A late season cold snap can be a tough reminder to protect the pipes in your home. It’s never too early to make the decision to have the areas where your water supplies run checked out by a professional. MyGreenKC can provide this vital service for homeowners in the Kansas City area.

Prior to having professional assistance, homeowners can do a few things to protect themselves from frozen pipes. First, keep your heat on, even if you are going to be away from home for awhile, it is important to keep your heat around 60 degrees. The pipes under floors, in walls, and in cabinets rely on the air circulating in your home to help keep them from freezing. And for that reason make sure you are not closing of rooms or areas in your house where water lines run.

The post Cold Weather Reminder – Protect Your Pipes From Freezing first appeared on Kansas City Attic Insulation Professionals | Energy Audits.

Contact MyGreenKC: 816-301-4448

At MyGreenKC we know Midwest winters can be hard on your home. Owner should address heating issues in the home such as equipment maintenance and efficiencies as well as insulation. But one underlying issue that gets forgotten is freezing pipes.

1. Keep the heat on – Even if you want to save energy while you’re away, it is best to keep the ambient temp in your home above 60 degrees. Some landlords require that residents leave thermostats at this range or higher to avoid potential damage to the property.
2. Allow warm air to circulate through the house – Make sure that you are not closing off areas where pipes exist (bathrooms, kitchens/cabinets) from heat. If there are not proper heat sources in these areas make sure not to close any doors that would cut them off.
3. Seal the areas surrounding pipes – Cold air can get through foundations and circulate in walls and cabinets where pipes are running. Be sure to have sealed the inner and outer areas where air gaps are present. If possible check floors, walls and cabinets where pipes enter areas of the home. The outside air can seep through these gaps to make the vulnerable areas even colder.
4. Insulate the vulnerable areas – Pipes in crawl spaces, basements and attics can be further protected by being sure that these areas are properly insulated. Adding insulation in walls and above ceilings can add efficiency to heating systems while preventing cold air from entering the home. 

The post Protect Your Home From Freezing Pipes first appeared on Kansas City Attic Insulation Professionals | Energy Audits.

As the end of winter nears concerns for energy usage and loss are not greatly diminished. Home owners don’t want to run heating systems later in the season than necessary and don’t want to turn on the AC too early. As the temperatures fluctuate you may want to crack a window during the day but retain heat in the evening. Here in the midwest we tend to expect some unseasonably cold days as spring approaches as well. MyGreenKC has tips and solutions for all your heating and cooling concerns.

Our main concern for your home is energy loss in general. Your home may benefit from an Energy Audit performed by our trained technicians. MyGreenKc can perform Blower Door Testing, Infrared Scans and Duct Testing to find the inefficiencies of your home. We will check your whole system from attics to basements and crawlspaces.

Attic Insulation is often the most affordable and effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. MyGreenKC specializes in this home upgrade. We offer several options and trained professionals to help stop the loss of energy through your attic space.

If any gaps in your home appear to be letting the heat out or the cold in, we can perform Air Sealing maintenance to stop your energy loss. Your ducting may also have gaps at connections and registers, be damaged or need cleaning. MyGreenKC can repair, seal and insulate to improve the efficiency of your system.

As the winter moves on and the season begins to change it’s still necessary to monitor, maintain or possibly upgrade your heating and cooling equipment. Be sure to check air filters and schedule regular maintenance for the longevity of your home’s heating and cooling equipment. ACs should be checked for proper refrigerant charge as well. Any outdoor units should also be cleaned and maintained before they are put into use.

During all seasons of the year drafty windows (link) may be a source of energy inefficiency. If you decide to replace them be sure that they meet the recommended energy star rating. Window gaps can be repaired and sealed as well to help maintain the comfort in your home.

In all, it is important to maintain your systems throughout cold and warm seasons. But it is also important to anticipate changes in weather and think in advance to get maintenance schedule and done before it is time to use your heating or cooling systems.

 

The post Seasons Change and So Will Your Home’s Heating and Cooling Needs first appeared on Kansas City Attic Insulation Professionals | Energy Audits.