The summer is prime season for spending time outside, sitting by the pool, camping, and being active. When temperatures are unbearably hot, there is nothing better than stepping foot into a nice cool home. The way heat wears on our bodies, just imagine what it is doing to our home. Check out these simple steps you can take to stay comfortable, yet keep your home running efficiently.
1- Keep blinds closed- Even though we love having sunlight come through our homes, keep your windows covered. Just a little bit of sunlight creeping into your home allows heat into your home.
2- Rotate your Ceiling fans- during the winter, have your ceiling fans go clockwise to help redistribute warm air. During the summer months, have them going counter clockwise, to help with cooling.
3- Shut/Open Vents- naturally, hot air rises. During the winter, close a few upper level vents and open all main/lower level vents. During the summer, rotate by opening all upper/main level vents. Close a few of the lower level vents.
4- Close & Lock Windows- make sure there is a tight seal so you don’t lose any air. If you have older windows, it may be time to replace them. When you compare your utility bills to the price of window replacement, it is worth updating in the long run.
5- Avoid Cooking Indoors- This is a great time to stay away from the oven -can’t complain about that! Stick to cold meals, or, if you can bear the heat, grill outside, or order out!
6- Change Air Filters- Change out your filters every 3 months. If you have pets, try to switch them out every 2 months. Aim for a good quality filter, but not too thick, as it will force your furnace to work harder to pull air in.
7- Close Off Rooms- If you have rooms that you don’t use often, keep them closed. You can also close vents in these rooms, which will allow the neighboring rooms to keep cool.
8- Create Outdoor Shade- you can plant trees (at a safe distance from your home for growth) to prevent direct sunlight to your home. You can also set up a sun shade sail canopy. This keeps direct sunlight to your home/windows, and creates a nice shaded sitting area for you to enjoy.
When temperatures are unbearable, we do what we need to protect ourselves from the heat. It’s important to do the same with our home. When you have exhausted all of these steps and you are ready to make some home improvements- windows, insulation, siding, etc., start by contacting Crew Construction and Restoration. Our team will come out, put together a free estimate, and discuss different options with you.
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