June 3, 2015
Summerize Your Home Today!
The long-awaited summer months are here. Gone are the days of puffy coats, choked diesel engines and endless pleas to “turn up the heat.” Taking their place are days spent fishing on the lake, sipping iced tea on the front porch and breathing in Colorado’s fresh, mile-high air. Regardless what your plans are this summer, your house needs a fresh breath from the cold winter and rainy spring it just endured, starting with a deep cleaning.
Change the Filters
Before 100-degree temperatures ravage your neighborhood, change the filters on your home’s cooling system. With pollen counts breaking countless records this year, consider changing the filter every 30-60 days, or calling in a licensed professional like Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric to do the work for you. If you have a swamp cooler, replace old pads and thoroughly clean pad frames, pump screen, pump impeller and water distribution tubes. This will ensure you and your family can breathe easy throughout the summer and help your system operate efficiently until winter rolls in again.
Set Fan Rotation
During hot summer months, your homes most underestimated appliance is the ceiling fan. Fan blades should be set to rotate counter-clockwise to force warm air that rises to the ceiling to mix with lower, cooler air. This simple fix will level out temperatures in the room and allow you to give your air conditioner a break in the evening when temperatures drop.
Prepare for Vacations
Before you take that highly-anticipated bucket list trip this summer, be sure to give your home some time off, too. Applewood recommends shutting off your home’s water system to reduce the risk of flooding or leaky faucets. Turn your air conditioner fan down and the temperature up 4-5 degrees to conserve on your energy bill. Do not turn the system off. This could cause mold or mildew to accumulate.
When leaving for vacation, remember to disconnect non-essential appliances during your absence and clean out your refrigerator. Before the sump pump wreaks havoc on your empty home, make sure the pump is operating properly to avert a flood disaster. To test its efficiency, pour a bucket of water in to the pit and listen for the pump to kick on. If the pump doesn’t turn on, call a professional to get it fixed before your vacation.
Check Outdoor Lighting
Summer nights allow us to stay outside longer and wind down from a busy day in the calm of the outdoors. It’s a perfect time to string up outdoor lights, connect your stereo and have a barbecue and a few drinks with friends. When setting the mood, be sure to use only outdoor-rated electrical extension cords and lighting. Check outdoor outlets and border lights for any loose connections. If an outlet seems loose or a cord is frayed, contact a licensed professional to have the problem fixed. Protect yourself and friends by making your yard safer, especially if a summer storm decides to make an entrance at your grill out.
The more preparation you take with your home before summer hits means a decreased likelihood in costly home repairs and more time to kick back and relax.