Given that most homes require additional maintenance to keep functioning throughout the summer, prepping your home can help you reduce your energy bills, improve your home’s efficiency, and boost the overall safety of your property.
Especially in hot and humid places, summer weather can be extreme, and it’s essential to start summer prep a few months in advance. Here’s how a homeowner can make sure their home is in its best shape before summertime.
Invest in a pool.
For many people, summer is synonymous with swimming. Whether you usually spend most of your summer at your town’s community pool or the beach, swimming offers the perfect opportunity to cool down and escape from the heat. However, this year, as COVID-19 threatens to close beaches and community pools, investing in a swimming pool can help you survive the heat and humidity.
According to the contractors at Olympus Pools, swimming pools are in demand now more than ever. But, like bicycles, swimsuits, and other summer-saving products, swimming pools aren’t easy to find these days, with unprecedented demand and shortages in building materials. To properly prepare your home for the summer heat and find the right time frame for your pool installation, consider looking at your options now.
To find a reputable pool building company near you, try asking friends and family for recommendations or conducting a simple location-specific Google search, like “pool builders in Tampa, FL.” Whether you’re looking to create a fun summer experience for your family or an oasis for yourself, working with an experienced local pool builder can help you prepare your home for the summer.
Refresh your space.
Summer brings long hot days, which means you’ll likely be spending a lot of time in the house. Fortunately, even if you have a tiny kitchen, the summer is the perfect time to turn your kitchen design ideas into reality.
If you’re not prepared to take on a complete kitchen renovation, don’t worry—there are still countless design ideas for small kitchens that can help refresh your space. For example, adding some color to your kitchen can help create a friendly, inviting atmosphere with just a few coats of paint. After painting your kitchen, add some colorful appliances or shelves to match your personal style. Don’t be afraid to choose bold colors like yellows, reds, or blues—just make sure your appliances are in sync with your kitchen’s overall color scheme.
Alternatively, consider taking some steps to add functionality to your kitchen. For example, you might try installing a wall rack for pots, pans, and other utensils, or you might free up some counter space by installing open shelves. If you feel like your kitchen is lacking something, it’s always a good idea to show off your spice collection.
Remodel your bathroom.
During the summer, working with a trusted team of bathroom remodelers can help you fix any potential plumbing issues, boost your home’s efficiency and sustainability, and protect your home from mold and mildew.
Think about it: if you’ve lived in your home for over 20 years, your piping, fixtures, and toilets probably aren’t energy-efficient or environmentally friendly. Remodeling your bathroom can help you save money in the long run and reduce your home’s carbon footprint. With the help of professional builders, you’ll be able to plan a bathroom remodeling project to replace your old inefficient pipes and fixtures and curb your water usage.
Additionally, the heat and humidity provide optimal growing conditions for mold and mildew, especially in your shower and bathtub. Mold and mildew put your health at risk and make it more difficult to keep your bathroom safe and clean. A new bathroom can help you protect the health of both your home and your family.
Repair your air conditioner.
Before summer arrives, set aside some time to make sure your air conditioner is in working condition. If you haven’t used your HVAC system in a few months, start by replacing your air filter and cleaning the area around your HVAC unit and vents. Next, run your air conditioner to see if it’s cooling your home efficiently. If your air conditioner isn’t working, be sure to call an HVAC professional to look for any leaks or defects.
The spring is also a great time to consider installing a programmable thermostat in your home. Smart thermostats provide the best way to help you reduce your home’s environmental impact and live more sustainably. Plus, they can also help you save money in the long run since you can program your air conditioner to run only when you want it to.
Clean up your backyard.
Just as you clean your home in the springtime, your yard needs some care, too. To prepare your backyard for the hot and humid summer, devote an early spring weekend to cleaning up. When it comes to tidying up, you’ll find that even small things can make a significant difference, and your efforts will be worth it when the temperatures spike during the summer months.
To get started, clear the ground by raking up dead leaves, debris, and weeds. In areas like the Southwest, popular species of cacti such as barrel cactus, saguaro cactus, and prickly pear cactus can take over backyards, growing much larger than expected and creating the risk of pest infestations. However, removing cacti from your backyard can be a difficult and dangerous job.
To safely remove cacti from your backyard, call your local cacti removal professionals. For example, reputable local companies like Action Yard & Tree Services offer saguaro cactus removal in Tucson, along with tree removal and landscape maintenance services, so you can rest assured knowing that your backyard will be ready to take on the summer heat and humidity. In addition to scheduling a yard cleanup, aerating, fertilizing, and watering your yard can help you maintain a lush green lawn all summer.
Although getting your home ready for the heat and humidity might seem unnecessary, the financial advantages far outweigh the time and effort needed for summer prep. Keeping your property safe, optimizing your home’s efficiency, and keeping your home cool can significantly lower your energy costs during the summertime.
