5 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

Is your house ready to handle the hot, humid days of summer? Don’t sweat it. With these simple steps, you’ll stay cool and save all season long.

Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your air conditioning system. If your system is older or in need of repair, consider upgrading to a new ENERGY STAR®-certified unit. ENERGY STAR air conditioners are more efficient than standard models.

Adjusting temperatures is the most effective way to reduce your cooling costs. Wi-Fi thermostats make it easy, automatically adjusting temperatures based on your schedule while providing the convenience of remote control. Advanced “smart” models provide cool features, such as self-programming.

Check around windows and exterior doors for gaps or cracks where conditioned air can escape. Seal any gaps you find with weatherstripping for doors and caulk for windows. These products are readily available at your local hardware store or DIY retailer.

Make sure that your walls and attic are insulated according to levels recommended for your climate zone. A qualified insulation contractor, armed with an infrared camera, can inspect your home to ensure that it’s insulated properly.

How does changing out lightbulbs help get your home ready for summer? Traditional incandescent bulbs give off a lot of heat, wasting energy and making your cooling system work that much harder. High-efficiency LEDs bulbs are cool to the touch, giving your air conditioner a little relief. So, now's a great time to make the switch.

Your work is done. Your home is ready to handle whatever summer weather has to offer. Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy the cool comfort and the energy savings.