Not only is it wise to prepare your home for a cold winter, but there is also a lot you should do to prepare your home for a hot summer. While many people enjoy the heat, you want to be able to enjoy the comfort of your own home, and not worry about overheating, sweating or finding a cool spot to relax in. If you are able to take preventative measures before summer comes, you will be able to sit back and bask in the warmth, without any worries.
Follow these top tips if you are not sure what steps you should take to prepare your home for summer.
Install, or take care of cooling equipment
Cooling equipment, such as air conditioning machines are an excellent piece of equipment to have in your home during the summer months. An air conditioning unit will reduce the humidity in your home, increase the quality of air, reduce stress, and decrease the risks of dehydration and overheating. They are also capable of reducing the amount of dust, pollen and allergens in the air. If you already have an air conditioning unit installed in your home, you should consider hiring an air conditioning service company to check it is working properly. If it has been off for the winter months, it may not be working efficiently, properly or safely.
Adjust the temperature
If you have a thermostat, you should reduce your home’s temperature, to ensure there is a steady flow of clean and cool air throughout your home. A thermostat is a great way to regulate your home’s temperature, without having the stress of significant changes throughout the day. With more people than ever working from home, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is going to be key to a comfortable working environment, as well as living space. You should also reduce the temperature while you are asleep or away, as this will significantly lower your cooling costs and save you money.
Reduce humidity
When the temperature rises, so does the moisture in the air. This can lead to an increase in mold, allergens and dust mites in your home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the ideal level of humidity in your home should be less than 60%. However, for better air quality and health, you should aim for 30% – 50% humidity in the summer. If you have an air conditioner in your home, this will help reduce some of the moisture in the air.
You can also achieve a better humidity level in your home by:
- Using a room humidifier
- Drying your clothes outside
- Add houseplants to your rooms
- Leave the windows cracked open
If you live in a drier state, then you may wish to balance the humidity with a little bit of moisture, to help you avoid scratchy throats and dry eyes.
Stormproof your home
When you’re dreaming about the summer holidays, and perhaps bathing on a beach soaking in the sun, it’s easy to forget about the stormy weather. Unfortunately, with hot weather, a big storm usually follows. Storms can be extremely common in spring and summer in particular areas, due to the high humidity and the warm temperatures. The moist air rises and if there is enough instability in the air, it will form a thunderstorm. You should, therefore, stormproof your home before the summer months.
To get started, you should inspect the structural integrity of your home. Make sure the roof is in good condition, and there are no missing or broken roof tiles. Check your home’s gutter system, and ensure it is not blocked with debris. It is important it works sufficiently and is able to channel heavy waterfalls away from your home. Check any external attachment on your property for instability, rust or corrosion. This will enable you to fix any problems early on.
With big storms, power outages can also occur. For this reason, you may consider investing in a source of backup power that you can easily access during a blackout. You never know how long they may last, or what damage can be created by the storm, so it is important to be prepared. You can also create your own storm emergency kits. You should fill these important items that will provide you with at least 72 hours of supplies. Some of these supplies include:
- Non-perishable food
- Water (3 gallons per person)
- Battery-powered radio
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Spare batteries
- Whistle
- Small toolbox
To get the most out of your summer, while sitting back and relaxing in the sun, you should ensure that you prepare your home in advance.