With the recent heatwave, we’ve already had a taste of the summer heat. While some of us love to soak up the sun, others dread the humidity and stickiness that go along with it and plan to stick close to our seasonal best friend – Air Conditioning! Whichever group you fall into, here are 12 ways to prepare your home for the summer heat.
1. Weatherstrip or caulk cracks and holes that cause drafts near doors and windows. It’s easy to remember that windows and doors are a big source of energy loss when you feel the frigid air coming through, but hot air can sneak in just as easily. Seal up gaps and fix any cracks in the caulk that might have happened over the winter. If you don’t have energy-efficient windows, consider adding heat-blocking window film or sun-reflecting shades.
2. Block out direct sunlight by closing curtains, shades, or blinds.
3. On cool nights, open windows to take advantage of the breezes.
4. Switch ceiling fans to rotate the blades counterclockwise. Doing so will push the cold air down and create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler. It will also keep your AC from having to work too hard to cool the room.
5. Clear dust from your home’s air vents by using a handheld vacuum. This helps alleviate possible obstructions that prevent adequate airflow and keeps the air circulating through your home cleaner. Also make sure furniture, drapes, and a pile of household items are not blocking airflow vents.
6. Replace or clean your AC’s air filter and remember to check it often to make sure it remains free of dust and debris.
7. Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t already have one. These devices allow you to customize your AC both when you are home and when you are away. The house will be cool when you need it to be and save you on energy costs while you are out.
8. Don’t forget about your attic! Add more insulation on top of existing insulation to keep cool air in and the hot air out. Ventilating the attic is also important. When the outside temperature is in the 90s, your attic can easily reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Adequately sized vents and/or an attic fan can help keep hot air from building up.
9. Keep lamps, TV sets, and other heat-producing devices away from the air conditioner thermostat. The heat these devices generate could cause the thermostat to read a higher room temperature and keep the air conditioner running more than necessary.
10. Seal windows and door thresholds. Keeping hot air out in summer is just as important as sealing it in during the winter. Make sure that all windows are properly sealed and caulked. Weatherstripping on doors can get brittle and crack with time but it’s easy to replace or adjust if there is a gap.
11. Conduct a home energy audit. Many utilities offer home energy audit programs or services. These audits can help homeowners to discover how their individual homes are losing energy and advise on additional steps to take to become more efficient.
12. Schedule an AC Spring Check. Since your air conditioner hasn’t been used during the long winter months, unseen issues may have developed. The added strain of turning the unit on to cool down a home during the heat of summer can cause malfunctions and breakdowns. During a Spring Check, your Levco technician looks for small problems that could turn into bigger issues later on which keeps your equipment operating at optimal efficiency. So don’t wait until the heat of the summer to find out your Air Conditioning isn’t working properly. Prepare your home for the summer heat now and contact Levco for all your cooling needs!
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