Summer is a time to relax and enjoy your house rather than stress about it. If you want to prepare your home for summer, you should perform preventative maintenance before the hot, humid days arrive.
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We’ve been doing some research with the house gurus to bring you the top tips to prepare your home for summer and bring you the things that should be there on your to-do list for late spring/early summer. And there are two main reasons to do it: extended vacations plus avoiding major system breakdowns. So without further ado, let’s start:
1. Preventive HVAC maintenance is a crucial way to prepare your home for summer!
The number one thing you need to do if you have central air is to change the filter on a regular basis. A filthy filter not only lets dust, dander, and other pollutants into the home; but also puts extra strain on the unit, increasing the likelihood of it breaking down on the hottest day of the year. One of the ways to prepare your home for summer is to change the filter at least once every 90 days and more frequently if there is a lot of pollen or mold in the air (which happens during spring).
Another important way to prepare your home for winter is to get your central air conditioning system serviced at least once a year, ideally twice: before summer and winter. A skilled professional can perform various maintenance chores beyond the scope of the ordinary homeowner’s knowledge, such as monitoring refrigerant levels and ensuring the coil has sufficient charge. The bi-annual HVAC tune-up will most likely cost between $150 and $300, but it will keep the equipment running at its best while prolonging its life by many years or more.
Here are some other small tips you can implement to keep your HVAC up and to run all summer:
- Keep the area free of debris
- Wipe and clean condenser fan blades
- Protect the compressor unit from high or low temperatures
- Search and seal leaks in the ductwork
- Insolate your ducks
- Check your thermostats
We have an entire article on how to take care of your HVAC unit at all times, so be sure to check it out before summer arrives.
2. Prep your windows!
Caulk any cracks in the framing and test the mechanics of each window by opening and closing it many times. Fill two buckets with 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, and 1 gallon boiling water and warm water in the other. Wash the windows first with the vinegar-ammonia solution, then with only water. Using a squeegee, dry the area.
Cleaning windows on a foggy day is a good idea. If you do it on a hot, sunny day, the sun may dry the solution too quickly, causing streaks and making you work twice as much.
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3. Choose smart thermostats and install them in a proper location
We cannot stress it enough! It is the best moment to convert to a smart thermostat if you haven’t already. According to the US Department of Energy, WiFi-connected gadgets can save you up to 10% on cooling expensesby automatically altering your home’s temperature when you’re asleep or away.
Your thermostat’s functionality and efficiency are influenced by its placement. To avoid “ghost readings” or wasteful furnace or air conditioner cycles, read the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
A thermostat must be installed on an inside wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, entrances, skylights, and windows in order to function correctly. Warm air rises, cool air sinks, thus it should be placed where natural room air currents occur. Because furniture will obstruct natural airflow, avoid placing it in front of or below your thermostat. Make sure your thermostat is in an easy-to-reach location for programming.
4. Prepare yourself for extreme weather conditions
Believe it or not, global warming is happening. You’ve probably seen warmer summers and colder winters in the past few days. And summer is all fun until is storm season. Summer is storm season, whether you reside in hurricane country or tornado alley. Extreme weather is frequently followed by blackouts, so having backup power is crucial. Here are our top essentials to keep you ready for them:
- Get a backup generator
We know they can be costly, but the price is totally worth it by the end of the day. The greatest protection against protracted outages is to install a backup generator, whether standby or portable.
- Prepare an emergency pack
Well, to prepare your home for summer you should also have some emergency kit essentials to be ready in case any mishappen, happens. It can include:
- Water: At least 3 gallons per person
- Non perishable food: Cans of all types can fit in here
- Radio: Battery powered
- Hand-crank flashlight
- First aid kit
- Whistle
Remember to always keep it in an easy to reach place.
- Clean your home’s drainage system
Another crucial fact is to ensure that your home’s drainage system is in good functioning condition so that heavy rains can be appropriately channeled away from the structure. Examine the gutters for blockages, rust or corrosion, and areas where they are pushing away from the house.
5. Watch out for pests!
There are two major unwelcomed guests that come mostly in summer:
- Termites and carpenter ants:
They thrive in the summer. Both thrive in damp soil, which is just more reason to keep your gutters clean. Because decaying wood attracts the bugs, keep mulch, firewood, and dense shrubbery away from your home’s foundation.
Look for heaps of sawdust along baseboards, which are a clear indicator of carpenter ants, if you suspect the pests have already made their way inside. Termites, on the other hand, like shedding their wings near windowsills, walls, and other access places.
- Mosquitoes and ticks:
Our least favorite ones! The answer in both circumstances is to get rid of the insects’ preferred nesting habitats. Mosquitoes require standing water, so keep an eye out for birdbaths, empty gardening pots, and other sources of standing water.
6. Get your energy rates protected!
As the outside temperature rises, the amount of energy used to cool your home will certainly climb as well. We can’t help you spend less energy, but what we can certainly do is to help you get a better energy to better control your expenditures by using fixed-rate energy plans.
We now have more alternatives than ever when it comes to electricity suppliers, due to the nationwide push toward deregulation, which has been approved by about half of the country so far. With all of these new alternatives comes a greater need for customers to understand what they’re getting themselves into. We have an entire article that discusses what you should know before switching energy providers.
However, if you want to prepare your home for summer, switching to a fixed-rate energy plan is a must, and at Click2Power, we do this research for you, ensuring you end up with the best offer. So if you want to compare electricity offers, to choose a new electric company, make sure you visit us. We will compare electricity providers to make sure we give you:
- The best rates
- Easy enrollment
- Full control of your costs with fixed rates
- No Hidden fees
- Exceptional customer service!
Feel free to call us now at (833) 680-2025 or fill up the form on our website—one of our energy experts will be willing to help you with all the information you may need!
