Is Your House Ready for Summer?
Check Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
It is important to check your fire and carbon monoxide alarms every six months, so summertime is a wonderful time to put in fresh batteries, wipe down any dust that may have accumulated, and do a run through to make sure it is working properly. With vacations happening and more people staying in the home, making sure these alarms are ready will ensure your belongings and family members are safe.
Check Windows and Add Insulation to Cover Any Openings
During summer, the air conditioner will be running more often, and you want to ensure that the cool air stays inside the house. Looking over windows, doors, and other openings in the home will help you locate any cracks or open-air holes that will allow cool air to escape. Use insulation or caulking, depending on the size of the hole, to close those cracks and prevent any further air from escaping.
Open Air Vents and Clean Them Out
Over time dust and other small particles can accumulate within air vents, so it is important to open and clean out the vents before cranking up the air conditioner. This tip is especially important if you suffer from allergies, as having this material within air vents can cause it to spread throughout your home. Also, having a large amount of dust and material can limit the airflow through the vents thus requiring the air conditioner to use more energy to cool the home.
Get the Air Conditioner Unit Checked
Speaking of the air conditioning unit, it is smart to call an A/C specialist and get your unit tuned up to be ready for the summer months. Most tune-ups include checking refrigerant charge levels, making sure all electronic connections are working properly, checking the drainage system, adjusting blower components, and even checking and replacing the air filter. Having an air conditioning unit that is working properly will cool your home more efficiently and therefore save you energy and money.
Switch Fan Blades to Counterclockwise
With the changing temperatures, it is important to switch the fan blades to spin counterclockwise. This motion will allow the fan to create a downdraft resulting in cool air being circulated throughout the room. Remember to turn off the fan when the room is empty so that you conserve energy. It would also be a great idea to wipe down any built-up dust on the blades so that the fan isn’t blowing dust particles around the room.
Check Outside Water Systems and Faucets for Any Leaks
Watering your yard during the summer is imperative to keep it looking nice and green, but make sure your sprinkler system is working properly with no leaky or broken spouts. Just as with the sprinkler system, you’ll want to check all the outside faucets for leaks or any dripping. Remember, a leaky faucet with a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year.
