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With a recorded temperature of 134 degrees, California's Death Valley, part of the Mojave Desert Ecosystem, is officially considered the hottest place on earth. It is not uncommon for summer temperatures there to reach 120 degrees.
On July 13, 1922, the National Geographic Society recorded an even higher temperature of 136 degrees in Al' Aziziyah, Libya, but the reading has not been officially recognized.
If you live in Ohio, you can experience truly high temperatures by paying a visit to your attic in the middle of summer. An unventilated attic in the Ohio area can reach a temperature of 140 degrees in the middle of summer: twenty degrees hotter than the hottest place on earth. If an air conditioning technician pays a visit to your attic, he may come down every so often to chug-a-lug the cold water he carries in his van. He's not shirking his work, just trying to avoid heat stroke. And his uniform, fresh and pressed in the morning, may have wilted by noon. But he'll do what he can to keep you and your family cool.
As you may have figured out, the heat that builds up in your attic is transferred through your ceiling into your living quarters. This makes your air conditioner work harder and your electric bills soar higher. To improve the efficiency of your cooling system, consider ventilating your attic and adding an extra layer of insulation.
Ventilating Your Attic
Good ventilation can lower your attic's temperature by as much as 30 degrees during the summer. Install louvers or screened vents in your attic overhang to reduce the buildup of moisture and heat in your attic. For maximum efficiency, install a power attic ventilator (attic fan), which draws outside air in through the louvers or vents and forces hot air out. Power attic ventilators can be purchased at most large hardware stores.
Insulating Your Attic
You can also reduce your cooling costs by increasing your insulation. R-30 insulation is particularly effective for creating a buffer between hot attics and the living spaces below.
Additional Tips
For additional advice on improving the efficiency of your cooling system, visit our page of Energy Saving Tips.
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