# Summer Home Insulation: Top Eco-Friendly Renovations

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/top-eco-friendly-home-renovations-to-start-before-the-summer-heat/
- Published: 2017-05-30T22:05:49-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/can-cannabis-cultivation-lead-to-additional-environmental-impacts/).
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 Insulation projects may not be glamorous.⌉⌊Summer home Insulation 
projects may not be glamorous.⌉[ 

## 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](http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2017/).
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](https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/attic-insulation-savings/)
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](https://modernize.com)
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](https://web.archive.org/web/20170529211855/https://energy.gov/articles/you-asked-we-are-answering-your-home-efficiency-questions).
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!

 [⌊Passive solar upgrades—like roof overhangs—have been gaining a footing in the green building industry of late, mainly because they reduce the energy homes consume 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, thus maintaining lower interior temperatures throughout the hot weather. If your home has short or nonexistent eaves, a roofer can construct extensions that will shade and 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!⌉](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_0737.jpg?quality=52&ssl=1)

#### 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](https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/06/04/the-problem-of-lawns/),
and its maintenance may be responsible for as much as [five percent of the carbon emissions in the atmosphere](https://www.thoughtco.com/social-sciences-4133522).
Drought-tolerant landscaping, like [succulent](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/04/succulent-growing-mistakes-you-need-to-avoid/)
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](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/02/what-can-they-tell-us-about-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_**

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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