When the summer months roll around and the mercury
rises, your home can get unbearably hot unless you are prepared. In
some parts of the country, summer is the most pleasant time of the
year-warm, breezy and inviting. In other parts, it can be the most
miserable, with dangerously high temperatures and poor air quality.
With a little bit of prep, however, anybody can make their homes
comfortable and secure for the summer.
If you have air
conditioning, stock up on air conditioning filters, and make sure you
change them out at least every 30 days during the summer months-this
will significantly improve your AC's performance. You should also open
the outside unit and clean any dust or debris out of the coils. If you
don't have AC, or you just want to save on electricity costs, get some
electric fans to circulate air. A great tip is to get two or three very
large fans and put them in your attic to run all during the summer. You
will notice a drop in your home's temperature almost immediately. And
don't forget window coverings-dark, heavy curtains and solid blinds can
keep the sun's harsh rays out of your home and keep things cooler.
Finally,
above all else take care of you foundation. During the hot and dry
months expanding soil can shift your home's foundation and crack the
concrete. This is a nightmare for homeowners, costing thousands of
dollars to repair and making your home unsightly in the meantime. Get
some black soaker hoses and place them close to your home's exterior,
run them for half an hour or so a day-do it in the evening so it is
less likely to evaporate. This will keep the soil moist and can be an
easy way to escape a huge bill.
