Summer means kids at home, hot temperatures, and finding ways to fill in the time. Is your home ready for what summer has in store? If you aren’t sure or have no idea, don’t fret, below are some tips we have gathered to help you in maintaining your home this summer. Once you read each tip, you can print this useful checklist as a reminder!
Check Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
It is important to check your fire and carbon monoxide alarms every six months, so summertime is a wonderful time to put in fresh batteries, wipe down any dust that may have accumulated, and do a run through to make sure it is working properly. With vacations happening and more people staying in the home, making sure these alarms are ready will ensure your belongings and family members are safe.
Check Windows and Add Insulation to Cover Any Openings
During summer, the air conditioner will be running more often, and you want to ensure that the cool air stays inside the house. Looking over windows, doors, and other openings in the home will help you locate any cracks or open-air holes that will allow cool air to escape. Use insulation or caulking, depending on the size of the hole, to close those cracks and prevent any further air from escaping. Look through When Less = More Energy Conservation Tips for more ways to conserve energy throughout the home.
Open Air Vents and Clean Them Out
Over time dust and other small particles can accumulate within air vents, so it is important to open and clean out the vents before cranking up the air conditioner. This tip is especially important if you suffer from allergies, as having this material within air vents can cause it to spread throughout your home. Also, having a large amount of dust and material can limit the airflow through the vents thus requiring the air conditioner to use more energy to cool the home. For more ways to conserve energy during the summer months read our Saving Energy at Home on a Hot Summer Day blog.
Get the Air Conditioner Unit Checked
Speaking of the air conditioning unit, it is smart to call an A/C specialist and get your unit tuned up to be ready for the summer months. Most tune-ups include checking refrigerant charge levels, making sure all electronic connections are working properly, checking the drainage system, adjusting blower components, and even checking and replacing the air filter. Having an air conditioning unit that is working properly will cool your home more efficiently and therefore save you energy and money.
Switch Fan Blades to Counterclockwise
With the changing temperatures, it is important to switch the fan blades to spin counterclockwise. This motion will allow the fan to create a downdraft resulting in cool air being circulated throughout the room. Remember to turn off the fan when the room is empty so that you conserve energy. It would also be a great idea to wipe down any built-up dust on the blades so that the fan isn’t blowing dust particles around the room.
Clean out Gutters and Downspouts
Summer brings hot days, but also rainy weather. Hurricane season begins in June and with Texas having over 350 miles of coastline it’s inevitable that Texans will see some of those storms. Having your gutters and downspouts cleared out will help with water flow and, if you have a rain barrel, will make collecting water easier. Gutter guards are a great option to help with keeping your gutters clean all year long. The Guide to Yard Care is a great resource to help make sure your yard is taken care of in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Check Outside Water Systems and Faucets for Any Leaks
Watering your yard during the summer is imperative to keep it looking nice and green, but make sure your sprinkler system is working properly with no leaky or broken spouts. Just as with the sprinkler system, you’ll want to check all the outside faucets for leaks or any dripping. Remember, a leaky faucet with a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. Learn more about ways to stay water-wise with Be Water Wise at Home.
Clean and Clear Yard
With longer, warmer days, many will be spending the summer outdoors and many times that will be in the backyard. Get your yard ready for summer by doing some lawn care. Trim the trees, but not too much as you want to save some for shade. If you have a log pile, either clear it out, move it to another area, or just clean around the area. Be careful when cleaning around material such as log piles as they can become homes to animals like snakes. Staying along those lines, if you have a compost pile, this is an ideal time to turn it over as that will help with decomposition. Check out The Truth About Turning Your Compost Pile for more information.
