Hot summer days are here, and in many regions, hot days mean hot, restless nights, even when the air conditioning is running. With temperatures on the rise outside, it's time to think about how to keep cool indoors without breaking the bank. To keep the heat out and the cool air in, now is the ideal time to insulate.

Many homeowners consider adding thermal insulation to their home in the fall, in preparation for a cold winter. But insulating in the summer can help provide immediate relief from rising temperatures and elevated electric bills that result from running an air conditioner. Just as heat escapes through improperly-insulated walls during cold winter months, it can creep back in through these walls during the summer.

Homeowners are encouraged to insulate now for a cool, comfortable summer and thermal protection all year long.

-During summer months, air in an attic can reach up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Without proper attic insulation, that hot air can make its way down into the home, sabotaging an air conditioner's hard work. If the second story is hotter than the first floor, add extra insulation or replace failing insulation in the attic.

-Crawlspaces built into and under homes should also be properly insulated. Consider adding insulation to the underside of the home's floor and around the crawl space walls.

-Basements are often overlooked as a key place to insulate, but in the summer, a basement is typically the coolest place in the house. To keep that cold air in, adding a layer of insulation to exterior-facing walls and in the basement ceiling will help prevent drafts and escaping cool air.

Source: Roxul, Inc

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