If you are a homeowner, you are probably familiar with the process of preparing a house for the winter. It might include tasks like scheduling a furnace check or draft-proofing the doors and windows. But what about preparing your home for higher temperatures? Ensuring that a house is summer-ready can save money on cooling costs and make it easier for the HVAC system to keep the property at the desired temperature.
To begin with, you might want to do some spring cleaning and routine HVAC maintenance. In addition, you should consider adjusting the return registers, rotating the ceiling fans counterclockwise, cleaning the gutters, and doing some basic landscaping. In case you want to know more, read on for a detailed guide on how to prepare a house for a hot summer!
HVAC Maintenance
The first step you need to take is doing routine HVAC maintenance. It will help you keep your house cool during the long summer months, even when the temperature outside is extremely high.
One of the most important parts of HVAC maintenance is changing the air filter. Not only will a clean air filter improve the efficiency of the HVAC system, but it will also help to improve indoor air quality.
Besides, it would be best if you also had the HVAC system inspected by a professional. They will be able to identify potential problems and ensure that the system is running as efficiently as possible. For instance, if you need Carrier AC repair, you should be able to get it without an issue.
Spring Cleaning
The next step in preparing a house for a hot summer is to do some spring cleaning and remove any dust and dirt accumulated over the winter months. It will make the entire house look better and give you a better idea of what needs to be done in terms of repairs or maintenance.
Start by cleaning the entire house well, including the windows, carpets, and floors. If any areas seem particularly dirty or dusty, you might want to focus on those first.
Besides general cleaning, you should also clean the air ducts and vents. Over time, dust and dirt can accumulate in the air ducts, leading to poor indoor air quality. To clean the air ducts, you can either hire a professional or do it by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
Once you have finished the cleaning, you should make a list of any repairs or maintenance that need to be done. It might include fixing leaky faucets or painting a specific room a different color. By making a list, you can ensure that you will not forget about anything.
Adjusting the Return Registers
Another critical step in preparing a house for a hot summer is adjusting the return registers. The return registers are located on the house’s walls and are responsible for drawing air into the HVAC system. If the return registers are not correctly adjusted, the air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the house. It could lead to higher energy bills.
In the summer, you want to open up the ceiling registers and close the floor registers. It will significantly improve the airflow around the house, making it a more comfortable place to spend your summer.
Rotating the Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans in the house, you should rotate them counterclockwise. Doing so will ensure that the fans are circulating cool air around the room rather than warm air. On top of that, it can help draw moisture out of the air. Just remember to turn the fans on and rotate them whenever the AC is on to cool the house down more efficiently.
Testing the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Another maintenance task you might want to do in the summer is to test the house’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These detectors are responsible for keeping the home safe and can save lives in the event of a fire or a gas leak. To test the sensors, you can either use a small amount of smoke from a candle or a lighter. If the detector works as it should, it will make a loud sound when the smoke is detected.
Cleaning the Gutters
Next, you should clean the gutters to prevent water damage to the house during summer storms and heavy rains. Over time, leaves and other debris can accumulate in them, potentially leading to water damage if they are not cleaned regularly.
To clean the gutters, you will need to remove the debris and then flush the gutters with water. If you want to clean gutters by hand, you will need a bucket, ladder, garden trowel, and heavy-duty work gloves.
After you climb the ladder, remove the leaves and debris, placing what you take out into the bucket. Then flush the gutters and downspout with water until you are sure both are functioning correctly. Once the gutters are clean, you can put gutter guards on to prevent future accumulation of debris.
Basic Landscaping
Finally, it would help if you did some basic landscaping to prepare the house for the summer. For instance, you might want to trim the trees close to the roof to prevent branches from falling on the house during a storm. Alternatively, you could identify and get rid of any plants that did not make it through the winter, as such plants can attract pests that can damage the house.
In Conclusion
To sum up, preparing a house for a hot summer does not have to be a challenging task. Just remember to do routine HVAC maintenance, adjust the return registers, and rotate the ceiling fans counterclockwise. Aside from that, you should test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, clean the gutters, and do some basic landscaping.
By taking such easy and simple steps, you can prepare the house for higher temperatures and make it easier for the HVAC system to cool the home down. It might be a bit time-consuming, but it is definitely worth the hassle. You will thank yourself later for a job well done!
