Does insulation help in the summer?
July 31, 2019When summer hits Charlotte, most homeowners go straight to the thermostat. But if your attic insulation isn’t doing its job, your AC will be fighting an uphill battle no matter how low you set the temperature. So does insulation help in the summer? The answer is yes—and not just a little. With the right approach, insulation can make your home feel cooler, reduce your energy use, and take pressure off your air conditioner.
Let’s break down how insulation works in the heat and what parts of your home need the most attention.
Why Insulation Matters for Summer Cooling
Insulation doesn’t just keep warm air inside during winter. It works both ways. In summer, it helps trap your conditioned air indoors while keeping outdoor heat from sneaking in through the attic, walls, and crawl space.
When insulation is paired with air sealing and radiant barriers, you create a full energy barrier that slows down heat transfer. That means your home stays cooler longer, and your AC doesn’t have to run as often.
What a Well-Insulated Charlotte Home Needs
Insulation alone won’t do the job if other pieces are missing. The most effective homes use a combination of:
- Air sealing to block small leaks that let hot air in
- Attic insulation to slow rising heat
- Wall insulation to keep out heat from direct sun
- Radiant barriers to reflect heat away from the roof
- Crawl space encapsulation to stop heat and humidity from below
The best place to start is with a free energy analysis from Standard Insulating Company. Our team can pinpoint where your insulation is lacking and recommend the right upgrades.
Why Old Insulation Doesn’t Work
We see this in a lot of Charlotte-area homes: insulation that’s dirty, wet, or torn up from pest activity. That kind of insulation can’t do its job. The small air pockets that give insulation its effectiveness get flattened or filled with moisture and dust.
Sometimes the issue is simple: your insulation is just too thin. Many older homes in our area still have attic insulation that doesn’t meet current standards. Others are missing insulation in crawl spaces or walls entirely.
That’s why we often start with insulation removal before installing anything new. It gives us a clean, dry surface to work from—and gives your home the best chance at long-term comfort.
Attic Insulation Is a Must for Summer Comfort
In summer, attic temperatures in Charlotte can soar 50 to 60 degrees above your indoor set point. That heat pushes down through gaps and cracks in the ceiling and warms up the living space below.
Before we add attic insulation, we always seal air leaks around light fixtures, ductwork, and attic hatches. Then we install fiberglass insulation at the recommended depth for our region. This keeps the upstairs cooler, reduces the load on your AC, and lowers your energy bills.
Reflect Summer Heat with Radiant Barriers
Radiant heat is the kind you feel when you step out into the sun. It’s also what turns your attic into a furnace when the sun beats down on your roof. Radiant barrier insulation reflects that heat away instead of letting it soak into your home.
We install radiant barriers along the underside of the roof, between rafters. When combined with attic insulation and air sealing, it creates a powerful shield against summer heat gain.
Explore radiant barrier installation
Get Comfortable and Save Money
Upgrading your insulation can do more than keep you cool. You may also qualify for insulation rebates and financing options. Our team can walk you through what’s available and help you make improvements that fit your home and budget.
Standard Insulating Company has served Charlotte-area homeowners for decades. If your house is hot in the summer and your AC never seems to catch up, we can help you find the right fix.
Unlock an energy efficient home with a FREE energy analysis. We listen to your concerns, audit your home’s efficiency with advanced tools and share a report with actionable solutions for cost savings and rebates you qualify for. This free service provides clear insights without any commitment.