How to Prepare Your Home for the Hot Summer Months Ahead

Summer can mean enjoyable outings and outdoor barbecues, but it can also mean higher energy bills and discomfort from the higher temperatures. Now is the best time to prepare your home for those hotter days. Make your home a cooler haven by taking the following steps.

Invest in Insulating Window Treatments

If you have ever stood near a window on a hot, sunny day, you know how much heat travels through windowpanes. This solar heat increases the indoor temperature and makes your air conditioner use more energy to keep things brisk. Whether you have energy efficient windows installed or not, make sure to invest in insulating window treatments to save energy and keep the home cooler. These include:

• Insulating Blinds
• Cellular Shades
• Thermal-Backed Curtains
• Outdoor Awnings
• Solar Window Film

Whether you use just one or several types of window treatments, you will notice a temperature difference immediately.

Installing insulated window treatments is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to keep a home cooler in the summer.

Install a Better A/C System

If your home has an older air conditioning system, now is the time to consider upgrading. A high-efficiency air conditioner can save you money while keeping your home cooler on hot summer days.

Consult your HVAC contractor to determine the right size and model of air conditioner for your home. Choosing the right size helps ensure that the A/C operates as efficiently as possible and reduces indoor humidity issues that can occur if a contractor installs the wrong size.

Seal Holes and Cracks

You want the hot air to remain outside where it belongs. Homes that have a lot of air leakage pose a cooling challenge to even the best high-efficiency air conditioner. Purchase caulk, other sealants and weatherproofing materials to take care of these holes and gaps.

Look for leaks in or around:

• Windows and door frames
• Entryways for pipes and electrical or cable lines
• Foundation cracks

Check the Attic

Attic heat is transferred into your home via the ceiling and walls.  This means that a hot attic can lead to a hot, uncomfortable home, in addition to higher cooling bills. You can prevent this by ensuring that the attic is well ventilated and capable of removing hot, stuffy air and making sure the attic floor is sufficiently insulated. An HVAC contractor can check your attic for you and advise you on any steps to take in order to prevent a hot attic from causing problems this summer.

To prepare your HVAC system for the summer months in Monrovia, CA, call the experts from Air Tro Inc. at 626-357-3535.