One major problem many people (and set up companies) miss is moisture migration. Moisture migration occurs when the air inside your home is less wet than the air outside. The little droplets are crowded in the outside air and are looking for a less crowded place to exist (sort of like moving to the suburbs!) inside your home. The most substantial area of this migration is through your floor! This area is where you need to focus.
The plastic membrane that covers your home's underbelly is not a vapor barrier. In fact, the installation is very specific in stating this because it is not intended to a vapor barrier. What the installation manuel recommends is a ground vapor barrier- usually of at least 6 mils- to be laid down completely covering the ground beneath your home. Installers don't like to mess with putting this down because its tedeious. However, many home builders will void the warranty for moisture related problems if this vapor barrier is missing!
My suggestion is to put a vapor barrier down under your home. Without this vapor barrier, your home actually becomes a huge upside down plastic container. (If you have ever turned a plastic container upside down outside on a warm day you know whaat I am talking about.) And actually traps this moisture inside. As your ac unit is working overtime, more and more moisture is moving into "the suburbs" of your home.
House doesn't cool down enough
-
John
Re: House doesn't cool down enough
Jackie I will have to stand by your temp readings. I was born and raised in AZ (40 yrs) and you are correct about 125. If you only go by RECORDED temp then yes 122 is the record on file at the airport. If you live out in the middle of the desert where they do not give OFFICIAL temp reading 125 is very common and is the norm. when temps in the city limits reach 110 and 115. Unless my brand new digital temp gauge is defective I averaged 124 this last summer in Tonopah AZ. (yes it is mounted in the shade 
Now I too have a hard time keeping my house cool and am looking to replace the duct work. The duct work seems to be to large and is just a maze thrown all over under the house. We put film on the windows and sealed every outlet we could but still not much help. That was a trick learned from Montana, use foam filler in outlets, surprising how much air is lost and gained in them. Also foam any drains you can get to.
My family who has lived in Tonopah for years grew shade trees and grass and that seems to be the best help in reducing temp. Awnings are a huge help as well. Good luck, I know what $600 month electric bills feel like in the desert.
Now I too have a hard time keeping my house cool and am looking to replace the duct work. The duct work seems to be to large and is just a maze thrown all over under the house. We put film on the windows and sealed every outlet we could but still not much help. That was a trick learned from Montana, use foam filler in outlets, surprising how much air is lost and gained in them. Also foam any drains you can get to.My family who has lived in Tonopah for years grew shade trees and grass and that seems to be the best help in reducing temp. Awnings are a huge help as well. Good luck, I know what $600 month electric bills feel like in the desert.
-
Victor
Re: House doesn't cool down enough
Jackie, I have lived in arizona all of my life and my experience has been that awnings down both sides of your home will greatly reduce the solar heat gain on your home. Also evaporative cooling is a good choice for secondary cooling in May and June and other months when the humidty is down. Try the awnings they will be of the greatest benefit for the money.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests