During the summer, heat and sunshine can cause your utility bills to skyrocket and lead to wear and tear on your home.
By taking certain precautions, you can minimize the damage and perform necessary repairs before things escalate.
If you want to save money and keep your house in good condition, here are the top three tasks we’d recommend tackling ASAP. They don’t take a lot of time, but they’ll make a world of difference during warm weather.
1. Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced
According to most air conditioning guides, your unit should be inspected and serviced before the full force of summer arrives.
Your AC system is about to work harder than it does all year, which means that it needs to be in tip-top shape early in the summer. This is especially important if you haven’t had your cooling system looked at in more than six months.
Not only will scheduling an inspection help your house stay cool all summer, but it will also save you money in the long run.
Depending on your HVAC service provider, you may have to pay for the inspection itself and any necessary repairs, but at least you won’t need to call for an emergency fix in the middle of blistering hot July.
The sooner you schedule an inspection, the better.
2. Check on Your Attic and Insulation
If the last time you went up in your attic was to put away your Christmas decorations, it’s probably time to revisit the top of the house and check on its conditions.
Unwanted guests, like mice and rats, often invade attics during spring. You’ll want to clear them out before the attic becomes dangerously hot in the summer.
Rodents may also compromise your insulation. This is a huge problem in the summer when you need the cool air to stay inside and the hot air to stay out.
Examine your insulation to see if it needs to be replaced. Remember — insulation has a greater impact on a home’s energy use and comfort than windows or doors.
3. Update Your Home’s Window Coverings
Although you might want to leave your windows uncovered to appreciate the golden sun of summertime, that’s not a great idea for the sake of your house.
Light from windows can wash out your furniture, heat up your home, and cause you to spend more money on your utility bills. In fact, heat gain through windows can be responsible for up to 30 percent of your residential cooling energy use.
That’s why it is recommended to install powerful window coverings. Solar shades, awnings, curtains and even simple blinds can reduce your home’s heat gain dramatically. Pick something aesthetically appealing that adds to the value of your home.
If you don’t want to install any coverings, look into window films that will keep out UV rays while still letting in some light.
By following these three tips, you can save money on your utility bills and have confidence in your home’s ability to keep you cool and comfortable throughout hot summer days.
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