Everyone makes a massive deal out of getting their home ready for winter and the cold weather, but what about the hotter months? You’ve spent the last few months cooped up inside a house that’s designed to retain as much heat as possible. What happens when the temperature changes and you get a barrage of sun and high temperatures?
If you’re not careful, you’ll turn your home into a living sauna. That’s why it’s just as important to get ready for the hot weather so you can enjoy coolness throughout all the imminent heat waves. You could argue it’s easier to prepare for hot weather than the cold stuff – all it takes are these three tips:
Book A Cooling System Service
Your home’s cooling system has been out of action for at least 3 or 4 months. This period of inactivity can mean it doesn’t work as efficiently as it should when you power it up again. Consequently, you need to service the system to make sure everything works.
This is particularly important if you use an evaporation cooler (aka a swamp cooler) instead of a typical air conditioning unit. A service will include evaporative cooler start-ups, which ensure the whole system starts properly and actually cools your home. Neglect this step, and your cooler probably won’t work, leaving you with a stuffy and warm home throughout the spring and summer seasons.
Swap To A Thinner Comforter
You’ve been rocking a thick winter comforter throughout the cold period. It’s the best way to stay warm in bed without relying on the heating, so well done for saving money on your energy bills. Ironically, you want to do the opposite during the warmer months – swap to a much thinner comforter so you’re not overheating in bed.
Again, it has the same energy-saving benefits, only this time, you don’t need to turn on your AC or swamp cooler in the evenings. You’ll be cool and comfortable at night, especially if you opt for a comforter with cooling properties.
Install Summer Curtains
Following a similar trail of thought, swap out your winter curtains for more summer-appropriate ones. The current curtains are designed to be thick and insulative, trapping heat inside your home. To prepare for hot weather, you want slightly thinner curtains with better blackout abilities.
The goal is to use these curtains to provide more shade from the sun in your home. Keep them closed during the day so the inside of your home doesn’t heat up like an oven. Shop around for summer curtains, and you’ll find loads that do this job perfectly. They’ll reflect heat and provide shade for your home.
Try these three little tips to make your home a much cooler place when it heats up. You’ll be ready for whatever heat waves are thrown at you, so there should be fewer complaints from everyone about being too hot and sweaty. Plus, as an added benefit, these little changes will ensure your cooling system is more efficient, which saves money and prevents the need for costly repairs.
Image Source: Unsplash (CC0 License)
