So Christmas has been and gone but it is never too soon to start thinking about preparing your home for the summer. The winter and summer months can hit your home especially hard so it is essential you make sure that it is ready to face the next intense season that is fast approaching. The heat can cause a lot of issues for your home and if you aren’t prepared then it can turn out to be pretty expensive. Check out the list below to see what you should be thinking about and preparing for the warmer months.
Windows
Something that is worth checking before the heat of the summer arrives is your windows. You may also notice this in winter. If your windows are old or not made very well then they could have small holes in the surroundings. This will let in a cold breeze in winter and the heat of the day in summer. In order to avoid this, it may be worth getting a window expert in to check for holes and anything that needs to be repaired. If your windows are ancient then it may be recommended that you replace these before summer arrives.
Air Conditioning
If you live in the UK then you may be relying on a small fan to keep you cool in the summer months. However, the problem with fans is that they only take the air that is already in the room and circulate it. If that air is hot then you will constantly be getting hit with hot air rather than refreshing cooler air. This can be rectified by installing an air conditioning unit in your home. Internal air conditioners are great as they will keep you consistently cool and you won’t be hit with any hot air. You will need to get an engineer in to install your air conditioning and then every so often for a maintenance check.
Garden
The summer months can hit your garden hard, this includes scorched grass which nobody wants to see when they look out of their windows. If you don’t want your grass and plants to suffer then the key is to water them when the sun goes down. You don’t want to water the garden when the sun is still hot as this will cause more harm than good. Some people set timers on their water hoses so that they come on without needing to be manually switched on. You could also hire a professional gardener to come in and do the manual work for you. For instance, grass will grow much quicker in the summer so this needs to be kept on top of.
Insect Protection
You can prepare and protect your home from insect invasions during the winter and this should last well into the summer months. You could put up fly screens on your doors, however, windows are slightly more tricky to protect. You will want to have your windows open in the summer months but don’t want anything flying in. There are solutions to this, you could try the coin trick and put it up in your open windows. All you have to do is fill a clear bag halfway with water, place three or four copper coins in the bag, and then hang it at the desired window. This also works on doors. It will confuse flying insects so they stay away from the entrances to your home.
Clear The Attic
Another tip for preparing your home is sorting the attic. Once winter has been and gone then you could carry out a check of your attic for any signs of damage or infestations. During the colder months, a lot of insects like to come inside to protect themselves from the elements. Get up there, being careful as you go to check for anything that needs your immediate attention. If you do have any issues then you could rectify this yourself or call in the experts.
Think Of The Roof
The roof is something that you should always be checking. The slightest hole can lead to more expensive damage that could have been avoided. When summer and winter end then you should check your roof for any sign of damage. You can notice some obvious signs in your home if there is a problem with your roof as well. Always be on the lookout for wet patches or water running down your walls, ceiling, or puddles on the floor. If you think there may be any damage to your roof then call out your local roofers to check and repair any damage.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some inspiration on how you can get your home ready for the summer. Your home and your bank balance will thank you for your preparation and planning.
If you’re considering installing an AC, remember to improve your home’s insulation. Home insulation not only keeps heat inside during winter – it keeps heat out in summer. This means that it helps the AC work less hard and more efficiently. Here are some simple ways to insulate your home: https://polestarplumbing.com/tips-tricks/seal-your-air-leaks-today.
When choosing an AC for your home, look into options with SEER rating and ENERGY STAR labeling.
Also, before buying an AC, please remember to check new efficiency standards for HVAC systems in 2023 — these changes are legally effective from January 1 this year.
Thanks for such a valuable addition. I agree that using high-efficient SEER-rated appliances can greatly improve a home’s energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint. However, even if you don’t have new high-efficient equipment such as heaters and air conditioners, you can drastically improve the efficiency of your system by doing regular maintenance. Even such a thing as a clean air conditioner filter can make a big difference. The good news is that changing a filter is pretty easy, and you can do it yourself just for 5-10 minutes. But if you have never done this, you can hire an HVAC contractor for the first time to show you how to do it correctly.
Thanks for mentioning AC maintenance!
Many people neglect it, and then the lack of maintenance cause premature breakdowns, poor indoor air quality, and high energy bills.
Thanks for sharing! By the way, if you’re going to install an AC, remember to check out new SEER requirements: https://happyhiller.com/hvac/seer-ratings/. Any equipment that doesn’t meet new standards cannot be installed or maintained.