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Most people tend to remember the significance of preparing for winter but fail to remember to plan for the summer. They also find themselves preparing for spring by cleaning their home interiors but forget the summer. You should always know that there are some significant steps that you need to take as summer approaches. Some of the steps are typical for the season, while others are general tasks that should regularly be done. This is the right moment to get your tools and prepare your home for summer using the following procedures.
1.Have an Energy Audit
Before you take any energy-saving measures, it’s always healthy, to begin with conducting an energy audit. In case you can’t accomplish that on your own, then consider hiring some professionals. The audit will enable you to prioritize projects that need upgrading; therefore, you can channel your resources to the most deserving sectors.
2.Prepare a Pool
In case you are fortunate enough to own a pool, now would be the time to prepare it since you would need it over the summer. However, if you don’t have one, you can perform a Nestlords review and find above ground pools that are easy to install, are low maintenance, and are incredibly affordable. You need a place to cool off in the summer, and a swimming pool would be the ideal spot.
3.Replace all HVAC Air Filters
It is always advisable to change those filters once in two months. In the summer, this is the right moment to alter the HVAC filters and replace them with new ones. There are numerous allergens in the air, coupled with the hot air; you want fresh air during this season.
4.Redirect your Ceiling Fan
Some homeowners are unaware that they should consider the direction of the ceiling fan. You might think that as long as the fan rotates, your home is conditioned; that’s not the case. During the summer, your ceiling fans should be directed in a manner that makes the room cooler. The way you handle your fan in the summer differs from how you do it in the winter. You want the coolest home; therefore, try directing it counter-clockwise during the summer and observe the difference.
5.Inspect your Roof
Ensure that you look out for shingles, caulks, flashings, and other damaging elements that are on the roof. In case you experienced severe storms in the spring, your roof will probably be damaged; therefore, make sure you either look at it or hire a professional to do the job. Your roof might be damaged, and this would be the right time to file a claim with your home insurer. Ensure that the roof is prepared before summer arrives.
6.Consider the Landscape
There are some tasks such as mowing or planting that might make your landscape stand out; you should consider preparing the landscape before summer comes. You have to decide whether to hire a landscaper or mow the vegetation yourself; the same applies to clean up the landscape. Cleaning and organizing the yard will make it easier for you to collect leaves when summer begins.
7.Repaint the Roof
The best way to reduce heat retention capacity in your roof would be to paint your entire roof white. Your energy costs will plummet, considering that less heat will be retained.
8.Use Fluorescent Bulbs
Unlike the typical incandescent bulbs, the fluorescent bulb generates less heat. During the summer, you can’t risk having additional heat. You have to keep your home cool and reduce straining the cooling system.
9.Inspect the Attic
You might want to do this, especially if you lack a fan or a ventilation system that circulates the air in the attic. Inspect those boxes and remove things that you don’t need. In case you have valuable items that may get damaged in the summer, relocate them to a cooler room in the house.
10.Upgrade the Windows
Try installing some energy-efficient windows that reflect most of the heat. Typical windows tend to retain heat, and you wouldn’t want this during the hot summer. You should consider installing some thin filmed windows that reduce heat gain.
11.Add Insulation
Not unless your house was built to be energy efficient, you should consider adding some more insulation that will reduce your home energy consumption. Old homes have less insulation compared to newer ones. The bottom line, the better the floors, walls, and ceilings are insulated, the fewer the air leaks you will encounter.
Summer could be your favorite time of the year, and preparing for it can be a simple process provided you adhere to the above tips. You need to reduce your power consumption; therefore, implement one of the above techniques and watch how 2020 will be an awesome year.
Are there any considerations for air conditioning units? (other than the filters)
to new homeowner . when I installed a new AC I paid them 150-200 every year for a ‘tune up’. That consists of washing the condenser with a hose that you can do yourself, opening the panel to check for loose wires, and checking the pressure of the refrigerant (which causes a small amount to leak). After doing this for 10 years I figured its easier to just pay if/when it brakes, since their bullshit about ‘priority’ service means you are ‘married to them’ and will have to wait in line with others whose AC breaks down on a hot day. Better off just going through the yellow pages and you WILL find someone to show up.
I did notice an ad in the paper with some place offering $49 tune up and a 50 restaurant.com gift card and a ‘no breakdown guarantee’.. sounds ‘eh’ but I’ll give them a call.. and should I choose to accept, I’ll pay with a credit card in case they don’t honor their claim…and put the charge into dispute!
Just make sure no mud and crap is on your condenser outside and you’ll be fine. Turn it on, and if blows cold air don’t worry.
Best advice https://theridgewoodblog.net/preparing-your-home-for-summer-2020/#comment-2113598 I read ever
I called that $49 deal. They are out of Mt laurel but ‘have techs that live in the area’. I wasn’t impressed, and I don’t need someone to tell me that my system is old, or bleeds out the Freon while ‘testing it’ and sells me more. It blows cold, filter is clean, condenser is clean… if it isn’t broken it doesn’t need fixing!
ALSO…. if your buying a new unit, don’t piss away your money on some super efficient high ‘seer’ unit. The thing will last as long as a less efficient unit, and you won’t notice the difference on your utility bill. Its just BS to sell a higher priced unit. If your house has efficient insulation that is the #1 reality on efficiency, summer or winter.
Our unit is about 3 years old. I guess we shouldn’t have it serviced… 🙂
To new homeowner don’t waste your money.. As I stated above, either it works or it wont. ANother point I forgot to mention. Putting a cover over it after the season to prevent leaves from entering it and decomposing has helped me keep mine working for 20 years (so far!) Its not like an automobile that requires oil changes. One thing that I have done for my furnace is pay PSEG the 9.99 per month which is a bargain for their appliance service plan. I believe they do offer something for AC as well but I have not explored it.