4 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer

Are you looking to spruce up your living space for summer? If so, you’ll find that following a few proactive steps is all it takes to boost your home’s efficiency and keep you comfortable during the warmer season. From repairing damaged areas to keeping up with HVAC maintenance, here are a few simple ways to prep your home for summer.

Keep Your Home Cool

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Image via Flickr by John Loo

Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to manage your home’s indoor temperature and humidity levels. You can program the system to run less when you’re at work or on vacation, and set the temperature back to normal when you get home. You’ll stay cool in the summer while cutting down on your monthly energy expenses.

Additionally, you can check your ceiling fan to see if it’s distributing the right airflow in your home. In the winter, it should rotate clockwise at a low speed to lift cool air up. To combat heat in the summer, though, your fan should rotate counterclockwise at a higher speed to thrust cool air down and create a wind chill effect.

Repair Any Damaged Areas

Whether your home needs repair due to winter damage or a lack of maintenance, you should take the time to update affected areas before summer arrives. Start by surveying your home for any curled, missing, cracked, or damaged roof shingles. If you don’t have a ladder, you can check for water stains in your attic on the underside of the wood. If you find extensive damage, call in a professional roofer to correct it.

You’ll also want to check your home’s siding for post-winter rot to the wood or shingles and repair if necessary. If you’re dealing with dirt or mold on engineered wood, vinyl, or aluminum siding, use a nylon scrub brush and all-purpose cleaner to get it back in shape.

You can give life to your fence by touching up areas with faded or chipped paint or by replacing any warped or rotting pickets. For sealing up cracks in the sidewalk, fill the gap with vinyl concrete, wet the surface, apply a concrete bonding agent, and pour a tiny amount of anchoring cement into the hole.

Check for Air Leaks

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Image via Flickr by ann-dabney

To prevent cool air from escaping your home and wasting energy, get an energy audit or inspect areas yourself to detect any air leaks that may be present. Look for drafts in your windows and doors, and tackle them with caulk or weatherstripping. If you find any gaps or leaks in the attic, basement, or walls around pipes and ductwork, use an expanding foam to seal them.

Maintain Your HVAC Equipment

There are a few easy ways to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. First, you’ll want to replace your air filter every three months. If it’s dirty or clogged, your unit will have to work harder to cool your home in the summer. With your outdoor HVAC system, look at the compressor and make sure it stays clear of dust and debris and has enough refrigerant. If not, call in a professional to fix the problem.

If you want to keep your home in tip-top shape for summer, consider these tips to help you prepare.