You may have bought out all the bug spray and lathered up with SPF50, but have you prepared your home for the hot summer months still ahead? Although most of us have already been in full-on summer mode since Memorial Day, summer didn’t officially start until June 21st. That means there is still plenty of time to plant those trees, dust off your fans, and make sure your home is up to the task of taking on the summer heat. There are a few things you need to do to get your home safe and comfortable for the long hot days of summer, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The following list gives energy and cost saving tips to keep your home cool for the summer!
Landscaping
If you’ve been putting off a landscaping project, now may be the time to get started. Planting shade trees or shrubs by your windows that receive a lot of light during the hottest parts of the day and/or by windows that get a lot of light when the sun is setting can help with cooling down the interior of your home during the hot summer months.
Exterior Window Coverings
Trees are just one way to shade your windows from the outside. Awnings, screen shades and even window tint are also options that can help keep your home from getting as warm during the day.
Fans
Fans are great for extra circulation during the summer when the indoors and outdoors are a little more stuffy than usual. Make sure to clean the blades of ceiling fans, and the blades and grill of portable fans. Clean fans mean you get refreshing circulated air without unpleasant dust and dirt floating throughout your home.
Air Conditioning Checkup
Having your A/C stop working in the dead heat of summer is less than ideal. If you rely on your central air to help you stay cool, you’ll want to be sure it’s functioning properly and efficiently. To keep your air conditioning running smooth throughout the summer we suggest you change or clean your filters once a month, make sure the outdoor unit is clear of debris, and to have your air conditioning unit serviced. It is important to hire a professional at least once a year to clean indoor ductwork, check fan belts on the outdoor unit, and make sure everything is working safely, properly, and efficiently. Regular maintenance keeps your air conditioning unit running more efficiently; and a more efficient unit due to proper maintenance can help reduce your monthly energy bills.
Thermostat
Programmable and wi-fi thermostats are the perfect addition to your energy saving high efficiency air conditioning system. These thermostats are designed to maximize the performance of your air conditioning system, offer reliable accurate temperature control, and are easy to use. With several programming options you can set your thermostat to keep you cool at night and save energy during the day. They are also ideal for vacation homeowners who want to adjust the A/C in their vacation home before they arrive, and conserve energy while they are away. All you have to do is set it and you’ll start to see savings.
For more tips or to talk with an Advance Mechanical technician call (252)-355-9191!