San Diego is starting to heat up, so you’ll want to make sure you prepare your home accordingly! Before you bust out the sunscreen and make for the outdoors, you’ll want to ensure that your home is also ready for summer’s heat. These ten home preparation tips will help your home stay cool without skyrocketing your energy bill.

1. Install a programmable thermostat. These nifty devices allow you to set automatic temperature controls for maximum comfort and energy efficiency during the hot summer months. Keep temperatures higher when your family isn’t home to keep costs low.

2. Replace your air filter. Your HVAC system’s air filter gets a lot more use during the summer. Check it every thirty days throughout the summer; replace it when necessary.

3. Practice smart landscaping. Now is one of the best times to utilize those green thumbs. Strategically planting shrubs and leafy trees near your home’s windows is an excellent way to prevent those same windows from transferring excess heat into your home.

4. Install exterior window coverings. If you aren’t able to use nature to your advantage, another great way to protect windows is by adding awnings or screen shades to shade their exterior side.

5. Update your home’s insulation. Pay close attention to your attic and the levels between your home’s conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Extra insulation can be added on top of existing material, but consider contacting a professional for appropriate installation and removal.

6. Use smart door techniques. Mom had it right when she was yelling about letting all the cold air out. When the air conditioner is on and running, every opened door and window leaks out valuable energy. Keep unnecessary trips to and from the house at a low to keep your energy bill similarly low.

7. Clean your refrigerator coils. Refrigerators can cause surprisingly high energy usage, especially when they’re not operating efficiently. To get the best performance from your unit, dust it off and clean up those condensing coils.

8. Install ceiling fans in high-trafficked rooms. Ceiling fans operate on a wind-chill effect by pulling warm air up against the ceiling and then pushing it down against the walls to simulate a chilled breeze air circulation. For this effect to work, you’ll want to ensure your home’s fans are turning in a counter-clockwise rotation.

9. Search out and seal any air leaks. Stop cooling the outside by ensuring your home is properly sealed. Test the stripping and caulking around your doors and windows and replace where needed.

10. Call in the professionals. While many of these preparation tips can be easily done by a handy homeowner, a professional energy assessment can discern the best techniques for your home. By calling in-home energy experts, you’ll better understand where your home is losing energy, how to remedy the situation, and which rebates and discounts are available to make your upgrades both energy and cost-efficient.

Source : Energy Monster

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