House won't stay cool in summer
The AC runs all day, upstairs never cools, and July bills rival January's.
What it usually means
- Attic heat load — a 60°C attic over a thin insulation layer is a radiant heater aimed at your bedrooms
- Duct leakage dumping cooled air into the attic or walls
- Aging or oversized AC short-cycling
What an audit measures
- Attic inspection + duct testing find the heat path
- Cooling load calculation right-sizes replacement equipment
Try first (cheap or free)
- Close blinds on south/west glass through afternoons
- Verify attic ventilation isn't blocked
The fix ladder
- Attic top-up + duct sealing
- Heat pump replacing the AC (cooling + heating in one)
Rebates that apply
- HRSP (with assessment) — Up to $10,000 per home ($5,000 if heated with Enbridge gas), including $600 back on your two assessments, for insulation, windows, air sealing and more — if the follow-up assessment is done by December 31, 2026
- HRSP (no assessment) — Heat pumps up to $7,500 ($12,000 ground-source), solar with battery up to $10,000, plus attic, thermostat and appliance rebates — no assessment needed
Want it diagnosed properly?
A registered energy advisor measures instead of guessing — blower door, thermal imaging, and a written upgrade report priced against rebates.