Your Pro Guide to Beat the Heat Inside and Out

Your Pro Guide to Beat the Heat Inside and Out

Questions to Ask Yourself for Ultimate Preparedness

As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it's time to shift gears and prepare your home for the joys of summer. But before you break out the sunscreen and fire up the grill, let's make sure your home is ready to beat the heat and keep you cool and comfortable all season long. Here’s the pro list of questions to ask yourself to get your home summer-ready inside and out!

INSIDE YOUR HOME

How often do you clean or replace your air conditioning filters?

Filters should ideally be cleaned or replaced every 1 to 3 months, depending on factors such as the type of filter, household occupancy, and indoor air quality. During warmer months, you may need to replace the filter more frequently, possibly as often as every 30 days.

Pro Tip: Have an HVAC system spa day!  Start by checking your air sealing and insulation.  Check that ducts are connected and look for holes or tears in the insulated piping. Check the thermostat is communicating properly with the system, it simply might need new batteries.

Are your window coverings or treatments optimized for blocking out heat while still allowing for natural light?

Proper window coverings such as blinds, shades, or curtains can help regulate indoor temperatures by blocking out sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.

Pro Tip: Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights, which not only save electricity but also emit less heat, keeping your home cooler. 

Do you have a plan for managing indoor humidity levels during the warmer months?

Check for condensation on your vents. The cold air coming in through the vents should be insulated throughout the entire duct all the way up to where the vent is positioned. 

Pro Tip: If you see moisture, there could be a problem, don’t wait - contact a professional to inspect the ducts. 

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

Have you inspected your home’s gutters thoroughly? 

Gutters are your home’s exterior “plumbing system.”  You want your gutters to route water away from your home to avoid damage. 

Pro Tip: Checking for rust spots, leaks, or water stains routinely will prolong the life of your gutters and prevent costly repairs. 

Have you inspected the general exterior for any damage or wear that could affect energy efficiency?

Check for cracks, gaps, or damaged seals around windows, doors, and other openings that can prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering the home.

Have you considered landscaping strategies to provide natural shade and cooling around your home?

Strategically planting trees, shrubs, or vines around the home can provide natural shade and help reduce the need for excessive air conditioning. 

Pro Tip: Consider incorporating green roofs or living walls into your home's design for an innovative approach to natural cooling, where green roofs provide insulation and reduce heat absorption, while living walls cool the air through evapotranspiration.

How can you optimize outdoor living spaces for comfort and aesthetics?

Invest in cool roofs and reflective exterior paint to minimize heat absorption and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. (A cool roof has a higher solar reflectance and thermal emittance, which means it reflects more sunlight, and emits less heat into the atmosphere.)

Pro Tip: Strategically position hardscape elements like pergolas, arbors, or lattice screens in your landscape design to provide shade for outdoor living spaces and enhance aesthetic appeal, while also shading windows or outdoor seating areas from the sun's rays.

From indoor air quality to outdoor landscaping, every aspect plays a role in keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the warmer months. By asking yourself these key questions and following these pro tips, you can prepare yourself to embrace the joys of the warmer season while ensuring a cool and comfortable atmosphere indoors and outdoors.