5 Home Tricks to Beat the Summer Heat
/Summer is nearly here, which means plenty of scorching days are ahead. To make sure that you are not overheating, here are some tips on how to prep your home to beat the heat during the hot summer months Southern California is known for!
READY THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT
If you have AC in your home, that’s already a big win. Make sure to clean the coils and change the air filters before you start to heavily use AC during the summer. If you don’t change the filters, the airflow will not only be weak, but will be ineffective in cooling down your home.
GET YOUR WINDOW SCREENS REPLACED
Luckily, after a hot day in Southern California, nights are usually cool enough to nix the air conditioning, open your windows and save on electricity. Replace your window screens, especially if they are torn or battered. This will allow you to let in the cool breeze into your home without the bugs or the bill. There are other benefits too: 3 Benefits of Replacing Your Window Screens.
UPDATE YOUR INSULATION
This may seem counter-intuitive, but updated insulation will not only help keep cool air in the home, but also keep the hot air out. Typically, adding additional insulation in your attic will do. Just be sure that all vents in the attic are clean and free of debris to allow the hot air to escape.
DEFEND YOUR HOME FROM PESTS
Unfortunately, the onset of summer also means an increase in bugs and other pests. They don’t want to stay outdoors any longer than you do! Check the caulking around doors and windows, and replace old weatherstripping to ensure you have a fully sealed home. Spraying insecticide along the outside perimeter of your house will also prevent the intrusion of these unwanted guests.
SWITCH YOUR LIGHT BULBS TO CFL
Other than the obvious cost savings on your energy bill from switching to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, these bulbs also give off less heat than regular incandescent light bulbs.
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