Summer is coming, which means it’s time to prepare your home for the warm weather. Following these 10 summer maintenance tips may help to:
- Maximize cooling efficiencies
- Lower utility bills
- Avoid unexpected expenses
- Extend the life of appliances and other systems
- Clear gutters and downspouts
- Gutters and downspouts can accumulate a lot of debris throughout the winter and spring. If debris is stuck in your gutters, it can cause problems like slow drainage, debris dams or water overflow. This could potentially damage your home and result in expensive repairs. Clean your gutters before the summer heat picks up and consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating in the future.
- Inspect and wash windows
- Wash the inside and outside of your windows to remove any buildup from cooking, fireplaces or dust that accumulated during the winter and spring months. While doing this, inspect your window screens to ensure there are no necessary repairs needed.
- Clean exterior dryer vent
- To remove any built-up lint and support its efficiency, be sure to clean your exterior dryer vent.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- While this is typically stressed during winter months, testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working is important year-round.
- Clean and change HVAC filters
- Change and clean your HVAC filters, vents and ducts for optimal performance. Consider scheduling a professional HVAC inspection to ensure your system is ready for the summer heat.
- Service and clean your air conditioner
- Depending on your air conditioner, consider hosing it down to clean any accumulated dust or debris from the winter and spring months. Cleaning the unit itself and removing any weeds around the unit will help it run more efficiently.
- Adjust ceiling fans
- In the summer, adjust your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise by flipping the fan’s reverse switch. This will provide a downdraft, keeping the room cool. Make sure to clean your ceiling fans as they have probably collected dust over the winter and spring.
- Seal air leaks
- When temps rise, prevent drafts that cause cool air loss and increase your AC bill. You can seal any leaks with weather stripping or caulk. Taking these precautions early will keep your house cool and your energy costs down.
- Inspect roof
- Prior to summer storms, assess your roof to ensure there are no cracked, curled or missing shingles. If so, contact a repairman as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to your home.
- Trim trees
- After winter and spring storms, assess the trees around your house to ensure there are no broken branches, cracks or hollowed limbs. If you do see any, prune, cut or safely remove to prevent damage.
Summer weather can bring the heat. Follow these tips to help prevent high utility bills, avoid problems down the road and ensure your home is summer-ready!
