Summer’s a great time to spend with family and friends, or for improving your home.
However you choose to pass the time, here are some life hacks that will help you stay cool, prevent damage and save money.
1. Make a Foam Door Bumper
Pool noodles are a do-it-yourselfer’s dream — these colorful foam toys are cheap, versatile and can be used for all kinds of things.
The next time you purchase some pool noodles, grab a few more than you need and set these aside for cutting and repurposing.
One summer hack that comes in handy for excited children (or anyone!) getting in and out of a car in a narrow garage is a door bumper, which you can make one of two ways.
If your garage has open studs, grab four pool noodles and cut each one in half, lengthwise, with a serrated knife. Then slide each piece vertically onto the studs — no tools are required!
If your garage has drywall, grab two pool noodles and attach each one horizontally, on both walls, using 1 and 5/8-inch drywall screws.
Whichever method you choose, these low-cost bumpers will protect your walls, and prevent scratches on your car.
Learn more about these projects here:
How to Make a Door Bumper with a Pool Noodle
2. Cover Your Ladder
Summer is a great time for home improvement projects that add curb appeal. Whether you’re re-siding your home or painting your house, you’ll need an extension ladder to get the job done.
And if you don’t want to damage your home’s exterior while working, you’ll need ladder covers.
Home centers sell covers that fit extension ladder-rail end caps for about $10. But a cheaper, DIY solution is to cut two 6-inch sections from a pool noodle, then cut each piece lengthwise and slip it on to each ladder rail.
Watch the video: How to Protect Your Home from Ladder Rail Damage
3. Unclog the A/C Line
Homes with a central air conditioning system have a drain line outside dripping water near the A/C. This line drains condensation from the inside air handler to the outside.
If this line clogs (usually from algae), it can cause water damage inside the house.
To prevent clogs, simply pour a cup of household bleach into the line from the inside.
To remove a clog once it has formed, just attach a wet/dry vacuum to the drain line outside (removing the paper filter first), and then suck that clog out.
Watch the video: AC Drain Line Clean Out
4. Save with a Ceiling Fan
Paddle ceiling fans don’t actually cool the air, but they can make it feel cooler by increasing evaporation on your skin.
To reduce your air conditioning bill and save energy, run a paddle ceiling fan in a counterclockwise direction during hot weather, and only run the fan when you are in the room to feel the effects.
Go ahead and turn that thermostat up, too, because the ceiling fan will make you feel cooler and you won’t need the A/C as much.
Watch the video: How to Keep Cool and Save Energy with Paddle Ceiling Fans
5. Grill Out
Eating home-cooked meals during the summer is a surefire way to increase your cooling bill.
So, do this instead: Eat cold meals, cook outside on the grill, or use the microwave for cooking, when possible, to minimize heat indoors.
If you absolutely must cook indoors, follow these tips:
• Cover pots to minimize indoor humidity
• Use a range hood or microwave vent fan to vent hot air outside
• Turn oven off a few minutes before the food is cooked to reduce oven heat
• Check the oven by turning on the light and looking through the glass, rather than opening the oven door
