Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Summer
The changing of the seasons means you need to prepare for different weather conditions, and make sure your home is ready! In this article, we are going to go over some steps and tips to get your home ready for the summer. Even though every home is a bit different, most of the preparation for the summer is similar, especially for homes in Havertown, Ardmore, and our surrounding neighborhoods.
We’ve been taking care of the heating and air conditioning systems for homes in our area since 1953, and now that we are in our third generation of being a family owned and operated business, we have learned the ins and outs of home preparation.
If you are looking for some help with getting your HVAC equipment prepared for the summer heat, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online! One of our experts would be happy to help. We can inspect your system, provide you with regular maintenance, and even upgrade your air conditioning system if that’s what you are looking for!
Tips For Summer Home Prep
We are going to go over some do it yourself (DIY) home tips, as well as some you should hire a professional to take care of for you. Most of these are geared towards making your home more comfortable, and saving you money in the long run.
Schedule Regular AC Service
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for summer is to schedule professional air conditioning service. Regular maintenance helps ensure that your system is running efficiently, extends the life of your HVAC system, and helps prevent problems and potential breakdowns. We recommend you schedule service once a year for your air conditioning system, preferably before the summer.
During a routine service, the technician will inspect and clean the components of your system like the fans and compressor. They will also check the refrigerant levels, and make sure everything is working properly so your home stays cool and the system is running efficiently.
Maintaining energy efficiency is going to keep the energy bills from rising higher than they should. This could end up saving you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your air conditioning system. Between energy savings, extending the life of the system, and reducing the amount of breakdowns and repairs needed, this is a great way to save money, and improve comfort.
Change Your Air Filter
We recommend you change your HVAC system’s air filter once every 1-3 months, depending on the time of year, if the home has pets, and how sensitive the occupants in your home are. Over time, an air filter can become clogged from catching all the dirt and debris that go through your system. A dirty filter restricts airflow, makes your system work harder, and reduces overall cooling performance.
You should have a few air filters on hand, so you can change them without having to go out to the store and pick up new ones. Changing the air filter before the summer means you are going into the season with a fresh filter, and smooth airflow. If you aren’t sure how to change your filter, ask your technician, or check out the video above. Matthias explains how to change an air filter in your heating/cooling system.
Seal Windows And Doors
If you have an older home, like some of the homes in Havertown, and our neighborhoods, you can have some old windows and doors that leak air. They let hot air in, and can let some of the cool, conditioned air out as well. Sealing these gaps with weatherstripping or caulk is something you can do on your own. This simple step can save you energy, and make the space more comfortable.
You could take some extra steps and hire a professional to install new insulation if your home needs it, or replace the windows and doors with new, energy efficient styles. These steps would cost a lot more money, but if your home is older, it could end up being something that is necessary anyway, and will improve energy costs and comfort in the meantime.
Test Smoke Detectors
This doesn’t have as much to do with the summer, so much as every season you should check your smoke detectors. You may also want to check your carbon monoxide detectors as well, though that’s more important in the winter. Replace old batteries and test each unit to ensure they’re functioning. You may also want to wipe or vacuum them off to remove any dust or dirt on the sensor!
Installing Blinds
Blinds or shades can do more than keep people from looking into your home—they also play a role in temperature control. Blocking out the sun during the hottest parts of the day can reduce the temperature indoors, helping your air conditioner work more efficiently. This is especially true for rooms that aren’t being used.
Upgrading your blinds is something you can do on your own, and shouldn’t be too expensive.
Fixing/Installing Ventilation
Without proper ventilation it can be difficult to manage indoor temperatures and humidity levels, especially in areas like attics, bathrooms, and kitchens. Normally, these areas have an exhaust fan that carries heat outside of the house. If this ventilation isn’t working properly, it could lead to big problems.
Check the fans yourself, and if you notice there are still issues with heat and humidity, call a professional. You may need to service the system, or add additional fans. This is also an important aspect of having healthy air in your home. Proper ventilation means cleaner, healthier air inside your home.
Set Up Outdoor Furniture/Grill
Setting up your outdoor space is one of the fun parts of preparing your home for the summer! Get your outdoor furniture out of storage or uncover it to inspect and make sure it’s still looking good, and not torn or rusty.
Also clean off your grill and make sure the propane tank is full. Not only is grilling one of the most enjoyable ways to cook, but it’s a great way to reduce the temperature of your home by cooking outdoors!
Getting Your Home Ready For Summer
We hope these tips can help you get your home ready for the summer. Some of these you can take care of on your own, while a few others will require a professional, like having the AC serviced.
If you need help preparing your air conditioning system or are thinking about upgrading to something more energy efficient, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or reach out online. Our experienced team at John Cipollone Inc. is here to help you stay cool and comfortable no matter how hot it gets outside.
