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Tips for Preparing Your Home for the Summer

Do a quick energy audit of your home

• Check each window and exterior door for tightness. Air leaks are a major source of energy inefficiency. If a dollar bill slips easily through the gap around your door, you are losing valuable cool air and letting heat in.
• Pass a moist hand around the edge of your doors and windows on a windy day, or hold a candle flame around the edge. If you feel a draft, or if the flame flickers, you need caulking and/or weatherstripping.

Don't forget that air infiltration can occur nearly anywhere

• For leaks around electrical outlets, wall & switch plate sealers can help.
• For leaks from air conditioning ducts, try duct wrap.
• For drafts around windows, doors, vents, outside light fixtures, gaps at exterior corners and in the joints between the fireplace chimney and wall, use caulking and weatherstripping.

Air Conditioner

Check air conditioning filters frequently and replace them when they're dirty. Don't try to vary the temperature between different rooms in your home by closing duct outlets or you'll unbalance the system and reduce its efficiency. When you are away for several hours, turn the unit off. Keep the thermostat at 72 degrees in the summer, a comfortable temperature for most people. Every degree of temperature results in a four percent increase or decrease in your utility bill.

Household Chores

Typical kitchen chores can add unwanted heat and humidity to your home. During the summer, plan meals that require little or no cooking. Use a microwave oven or cook outdoors whenever possible to reduce any unnecessary sources of heat. If you use the oven, carefully set a metal container containing cold water in the oven after you are finished cooking to absorb the heat. Don't forget to use a protective covering like a pot holder to prevent burns, and make sure there are no plastic pieces on the container which could melt. This is also a good source of hot water for clean-up.

Landscaping

Blocking the sun's energy before it reaches your house is the most effective method of fighting summer heat. Use grass, shrubs and flowers to reduce the heat directly outside your house that would normally be reflected by driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas.

Solar energy transmitted through your roof and ceiling is one of the largest causes of summer overheating. If your attic has less than 6 inches of insulation, consider having another 6 to 10 inches installed. Remember to seal air leaks in the attic before insulating. Since attic insulation itself doesn't stop air, the gaps around chimneys, plumbing vents, and light fixtures should always be sealed before installing attic insulation.

Solar energy entering windows also contributes to summer overheating. Awnings and solar screens provide excellent window shade because they stop the solar heat before it enters the home. For draperies, select tightly-woven fabrics to reduce the amount of heat gain. Lower your window shades to reflect most of the sun's energy back through the window glass. Also, use solar control films that stick to window panes to reduce glare without blocking your view.

Dampness around your home reduces summer comfort and increases air-conditioning costs. Install plastic sheeting as a ground-moisture barrier on the floor of your crawl space, install gutters and downspouts where needed, and consider installing a sump pump if you have an extremely wet basement or crawl space.

Improving your attic insulation, providing shade for your windows, and controlling moisture around your home are good ways to prepare your home for summer heat. Your air conditioner will cool your home better and use less electricity if you have a well insulated, well shaded, and dry home.

Please check out these related articles:

• Home Tips for Preparing Your Home for the Spring
• Home Tips for Preparing Your Home for the Fall
• Home Tips for Preparing Your Home for the Winter

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