Home Improvement: Getting Your House Ready for an Efficient Summer
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If you’re a homeowner, you know how harsh seasons can be on your house. When your home is damaged and not running efficiently, money is flying out the door. Now is the perfect time to fix any winter damage and prepare your home for summer. When you’re proactive and take preventative action, you’re keeping more money in your pocket in the long term.
Prepare Your Windows
Windows are amazing for natural light and letting a little bit of the outdoors in. However, they can also be your worst enemy when it comes to heating and cooling your home efficiently. If you have windows with gaps or leaks, all of that air conditioning you’re paying for is slipping right out of your house, meaning it’ll take a lot more time and energy to get your house to a comfortable temperature. To make sure your windows are summer-ready, give them a thorough inspection. If your window has any cracks, replace the pane. If the window rattles when you move it or you can see around the window, not just through it, you have gaps. These gaps can be easily fixed with caulk, weather stripping, and a few nails. Keeping all of your cool air inside will save you money this summer.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Cleaning all of the leaves and debris out of your gutters will extend their lifespan. To clean your gutters, get a sturdy ladder (and a friend to hold it). Wear gloves in case there are any sharp objects that have made their way into the gutters, and be gentle in order to keep from damaging them. After you’ve cleaned them, inspect them the next time it rains. You’ll be able to clearly see any cracks or leaks that could potentially let water into your home and cause damage. Replacing your gutters is a small cost to avoid losing money when water gets into your home.
Check on Your Air Conditioner
It’s important to do a thorough inspection of your air conditioner now for two reasons. One – you don’t want to turn your AC on once the heat is unbearable only to find out that it doesn’t work. Then you’ll be hot AND you’ll have to buy a new air conditioning unit. If you find out now that it doesn’t work or needs repair, you’ll still have a little time to save money (or take out a loan) for a new one.
Two – If your air conditioner isn’t working properly and is running in overdrive during summer heat waves, it might use more energy and take more time to cool your house down. That extra energy and time costs money that you could be saving for something else. Before your test your air conditioner, clean any debris off of it and replace the filter. This should be done yearly at least to ensure it runs efficiently. Then, to test your AC, simply turn it on, go out for a while, and come back. If it’s done its job in a reasonable amount of time, you shouldn’t worry. For a more in-depth test, set a thermometer on the supply register closest to the inside cooling equipment. Leave it for five minutes, then repeat on the return vent. If the air coming out of the unit is 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air going in, your unit works perfectly. If not, your air conditioner may need refrigerant or have leaks.
Inspect Your Roof
To check your roof for damage, you don’t need to get on top of your house. It’s just as efficient to inspect it with a pair of binoculars from across the street. You’ll be able to see anything major that needs repair to avoid summer problems. If you do have roof damage, you could risk water damage from summer storms, or your air conditioner may have a hard time keeping the house cool because of a leak. Again, inspecting it now gives your more time to save money (or take out a loan) to afford repairs.
Set Up a Bug Barrier
Termite, bed bug, or other bug infestations aren’t only unsanitary and cringe-worthy, they could wind up being very costly. Calling an exterminator, or worse, having to re-build or sanitize part of your home, could drain your rainy day fund or put you in a bad monetary situation. Taking preventative action to avoid big bug problems will pay off in the long run. To keep bugs from coming into your home, inspect your doors, windows, and foundations for cracks and leaks that small insects can sneak in through. Once these are fixed, use a pesticide or bug barrier option outside your home. If you have pets or children, make sure you use a non-toxic or homemade option.
Examine Your Basement
When we think about summer, we think about long, hot, dry, sunny days. However, many climates also have summer thunderstorms or monsoons on a regular basis. To avoid a flood in your home, examine your basement thoroughly for leaks and cracks. Repair them before the next storm. Your repairs should last through the next winter as well, but it’s always a good, money-saving idea to inspect your basement at the beginning of each season.
Armed with these tips, homeowners have the knowledge they need to avoid any summer home catastrophes and to help their home run as efficiently as possible, keeping more money in the bank. If you do need money for an emergency home repair or a big expense like a new air conditioner, AmeriCash Loans has your back. We have the cash you need, and we can get it to you fast. Apply at your neighborhood location or online today.
Prepare Your Windows
Windows are amazing for natural light and letting a little bit of the outdoors in. However, they can also be your worst enemy when it comes to heating and cooling your home efficiently. If you have windows with gaps or leaks, all of that air conditioning you’re paying for is slipping right out of your house, meaning it’ll take a lot more time and energy to get your house to a comfortable temperature. To make sure your windows are summer-ready, give them a thorough inspection. If your window has any cracks, replace the pane. If the window rattles when you move it or you can see around the window, not just through it, you have gaps. These gaps can be easily fixed with caulk, weather stripping, and a few nails. Keeping all of your cool air inside will save you money this summer.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Cleaning all of the leaves and debris out of your gutters will extend their lifespan. To clean your gutters, get a sturdy ladder (and a friend to hold it). Wear gloves in case there are any sharp objects that have made their way into the gutters, and be gentle in order to keep from damaging them. After you’ve cleaned them, inspect them the next time it rains. You’ll be able to clearly see any cracks or leaks that could potentially let water into your home and cause damage. Replacing your gutters is a small cost to avoid losing money when water gets into your home.
Check on Your Air Conditioner
It’s important to do a thorough inspection of your air conditioner now for two reasons. One – you don’t want to turn your AC on once the heat is unbearable only to find out that it doesn’t work. Then you’ll be hot AND you’ll have to buy a new air conditioning unit. If you find out now that it doesn’t work or needs repair, you’ll still have a little time to save money (or take out a loan) for a new one.
Two – If your air conditioner isn’t working properly and is running in overdrive during summer heat waves, it might use more energy and take more time to cool your house down. That extra energy and time costs money that you could be saving for something else. Before your test your air conditioner, clean any debris off of it and replace the filter. This should be done yearly at least to ensure it runs efficiently. Then, to test your AC, simply turn it on, go out for a while, and come back. If it’s done its job in a reasonable amount of time, you shouldn’t worry. For a more in-depth test, set a thermometer on the supply register closest to the inside cooling equipment. Leave it for five minutes, then repeat on the return vent. If the air coming out of the unit is 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air going in, your unit works perfectly. If not, your air conditioner may need refrigerant or have leaks.
Inspect Your Roof
To check your roof for damage, you don’t need to get on top of your house. It’s just as efficient to inspect it with a pair of binoculars from across the street. You’ll be able to see anything major that needs repair to avoid summer problems. If you do have roof damage, you could risk water damage from summer storms, or your air conditioner may have a hard time keeping the house cool because of a leak. Again, inspecting it now gives your more time to save money (or take out a loan) to afford repairs.
Set Up a Bug Barrier
Termite, bed bug, or other bug infestations aren’t only unsanitary and cringe-worthy, they could wind up being very costly. Calling an exterminator, or worse, having to re-build or sanitize part of your home, could drain your rainy day fund or put you in a bad monetary situation. Taking preventative action to avoid big bug problems will pay off in the long run. To keep bugs from coming into your home, inspect your doors, windows, and foundations for cracks and leaks that small insects can sneak in through. Once these are fixed, use a pesticide or bug barrier option outside your home. If you have pets or children, make sure you use a non-toxic or homemade option.
Examine Your Basement
When we think about summer, we think about long, hot, dry, sunny days. However, many climates also have summer thunderstorms or monsoons on a regular basis. To avoid a flood in your home, examine your basement thoroughly for leaks and cracks. Repair them before the next storm. Your repairs should last through the next winter as well, but it’s always a good, money-saving idea to inspect your basement at the beginning of each season.
Armed with these tips, homeowners have the knowledge they need to avoid any summer home catastrophes and to help their home run as efficiently as possible, keeping more money in the bank. If you do need money for an emergency home repair or a big expense like a new air conditioner, AmeriCash Loans has your back. We have the cash you need, and we can get it to you fast. Apply at your neighborhood location or online today.
