Flip-flops, shorts, and…summer home insulation projects? Believe it or not, home improvement projects are as seasonal as your wardrobe. And since the weather has warmed, it’s time to fit it in now. For you should get those springtime renovations. Especially before the worst heat arrives. These projects will prepare your summer with home insulation for even the most extreme summer highs. Thereby ensuring that your interiors stay cool and shaded. In addition, that your landscaping doesn’t run up your water bill. That’s when rainfall becomes scarce. Here are some of our picks for late-spring renovations. I mean those that will put you in shape. Again, that’s for whatever the summer weather has to offer.
Summer Home Attic Insulation
Insulation projects may not be glamorous. However, it’s that win. Especially when it comes to return on investment. Cost-versus-value reports confirm that insulation is the way. For installation offers one of 2017’s most profitable projects.
So adding fiberglass or non fiberglass insulation to your home’s attic. It nets an over 107 percent cost-versus-value ratio. Therefore, this summer get your home the proper insulation. For it does save energy. Adding insulation to an unconditioned attic could knock off as much as $600 in annual utility expense.
Therefore, you definitely don’t want to be working in a hot attic in the dead of summer. Getting an insulation project done now. That’s before the worst of the summer heat hits. Again, so you will maximize your energy savings and reduce your AC use. Especially while dodging the brunt of the heat.
AC Maintenance in Summer for your Home
Speaking of your AC, isn’t it time you gave yours a little TLC? Your air conditioning unit is going to be working hard this summer. All which means that if you’re ready for an AC replacement or just in need of a little upkeep. For the time to get it done is now. HVAC technicians’ schedules fill up. Especially with emergency repair requests as the temperatures skyrocket. So you don’t want to put this one off any longer. Test the electrical connections and interior components. Also, clean out evaporator and condenser coils. Finally, clean the drain lines. This TLC will seriously improve AC performance. Thereby giving you a more efficient unit and cooler interiors.
In fact, if your AC is pushing 15 years old or has a SEER level of 10 or below, think twice. For it is time for a total replacement. A machine with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio—or SEER—could potentially cut cooling expenditures by as much as 40 percent. And many modern units have sensors that shut the system down. Especially before components completely malfunction. That alone increases their overall lifespan. Plus, it helps for long-term cooling capacity!
Add or Extend Roof Overhangs for your home in the summer
Passive solar upgrades—like roof overhangs. For they have been gaining a footing in the green building industry of late. That’s mainly because they reduce the energy homes consume. All through cooling without introducing any additional mechanical elements. Angled overhangs, particularly on the south- and west-facing parts of your home, prevent windows from absorbing the worst solar heat. This alone is maintaining lower interior temperatures. Most importantly, all throughout the hot weather. If your home has short or nonexistent eaves, a roofer can construct extensions. I mean those that will shade and also cool your home. Alternatively, you can install an acrylic or aluminum awning over windows. Placing awnings over west-facing windows has a potential energy savings of 77 percent. But you’ll want to act fast, before the summer sun really comes into its own!
Introduce Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
If you thought the rampant energy consumption from cooling was bad, you should see how much water it takes to keep conventional lawns from curling up in the summer! Thirsty, water-inefficient turf guzzles 30 to 60 percent of urban freshwater, and its maintenance may be responsible for as much as five percent of the carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Drought-tolerant landscaping, like succulent beds or native grasses, combined with hardscaping features like stone paths, borders, and patios, requires much less watering this summer. For extra water conservation, add a rainwater harvesting system or programmable smart sprinkler timers, which can track local conditions like the weather forecast for a more accurate watering program. Now that is water-smart gardening!
Just a few small improvements are all you need for your greenest summer yet. Bring on the heat!
By Erin Vaughan
