In my local area the summer temperature frequently climbs into the high eighties for even the nineties.
The humidity is brutal.
During the winter, the temperature regularly plummets into the negative digits. The wind chill makes it dangerous to spend much time outdoors. We often accumulate multiple feet of snow in a single overnight span. The weather extremes require either heating or cooling for the majority of the year. There is seldom a time when we aren’t relying on the furnace or the air conditioner. The utility bills are always a concern. I continually look for opportunities to tighten up the thermal envelope and eliminate energy waste. I spent a small fortune replacing windows and installing new exterior doors. Last year, I read an article about the importance of a properly insulated attic. According to what I read, the attic is designed as a barrier between the outdoor elements and the indoor living space. It can significantly improve energy efficiency and comfort. Heat naturally migrates to cooler areas. In the winter, if the attic is especially cold, the heat from the living area will rise upward and create more work for the furnace. The heating system will need to run longer and use more energy yet potentially provide inferior comfort. In the summer, an overheated attic can lead to the hot, humid air seeping into the living area.This adds to demands on the air conditioner. I spent a very unpleasant weekend in July removing the old insulation in the attic. It had been degraded by moisture and rodents. It was dirty and disgusting. While I didn’t enjoy installing the new insulation, it has made a positive impact.