It’s never too early to prepare for the summer heat, especially when dealing with Texas temperatures. In 2022, the average summer temperature in Texas peaked at a warm 85 F!
By preparing your home for summer, you’ll get to enjoy the warmer days while minimizing the toll on your HVAC. We have compiled a list of practical summer preparation tips to help you stay cool and comfortable as you beat the heat in the scorching summer months.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set specific temperature schedules based on your daily routine and preferences, which can help reduce energy consumption. For example, you can set your thermostat to raise the temperature when you are away from home or asleep, and then lower it to a comfortable setting when you are at home and awake. By optimizing temperature settings, you can reduce the amount of energy your air conditioning system uses, leading to lower energy bills.
Programmable thermostats help maintain a consistent temperature in your home. By automatically adjusting the temperature at different times of the day, you can ensure your home is comfortable when you return from work or wake up in the morning, without having to manually adjust the thermostat.
Using a programmable thermostat also allows you to optimize temperature settings, so you can minimize the amount of time your air conditioning system needs to run. This can reduce wear and tear on the system and potentially extend its lifespan.
Keep Your Air Conditioners in Tip-Top Shape
Your air conditioner serves a critical function during the summer months. A well-maintained AC provides a comfy retreat from the outdoor heat. A faulty system might feel stuffy and, worse, contain harmful mold, dirt, and bacteria that might lead to sensitivities and breathing problems.
It's important to perform routine AC cleaning and maintenance at least once every 12 months. However, the required maintenance frequency varies according to your surrounding temperatures and how often you use your systems. Frequent use may require shorter intervals between visits from your friendly AC specialist. Regular maintenance will keep your filters and components working in top form, across the seasons, especially during summer when you'll need it the most.
Toggle Your Fans
To help boost your air conditioning, summer is the time to configure the blades of your ceiling fans to their counterclockwise setting. The alternate direction pushes the hot summer air downward, generating a cooling downdraft that spreads evenly throughout your home. Evenly distributed air circulation can significantly reduce the heat in your interiors and improve ventilation.
Using a fan in counterclockwise mode provides a cooling effect similar to an AC but at a fraction of the energy and cost. Also, remember to check that your fan's blade pitch falls (the angle of blades that affect your fan's functionality) between 12 to 15 degrees to shift the right amount of air for maximum comfort.
If you plan to remodel your spaces, you should consider the following factors for the most suitable fan installation:
- Ceiling fans generate optimal air circulation when positioned 2.4-2.7 meters (7.7 to 7.8 feet) from the ground.
- Fans with DC motors can function 70% more efficiently than conventional models and offer soundless operation.
- Your fan size should scale according to your room space for optimized air circulation. As a rule of thumb, you might consider 36 inches for rooms up to 100 square feet, 42 inches for up to 200 square feet, and 56-inch designs for any space larger than 400 square feet.
Summer-Proof Your Doors and Windows
Your doors and windows serve as the immediate barrier to the outdoor summer heat. Weatherstripping them can significantly reduce energy bills by preventing hot air from entering your home interiors. You could save up to 30% on HVAC bills by ensuring optimized weatherstripping installations.
Remember to check for a tight fit and secured coverage along the door seals, window jambs, and stops for optimal results. If you notice any wear and tear, replace the sealant with appropriate materials. For your windows, you should also choose the right combination of drapery to protect against the blazing summer sunlight. Cellular or honeycomb blinds do a great job keeping out the heat with an air-trapping insulation layer. If you prefer curtains, consider adding a secondary voile layer for added heat protection. This layer will also provide the right amount of muted light to brighten your interiors.
As for primary curtain designs, consider opting for lighter shades that reflect sunlight. The US Department of Energy (DOE) shares that lighter curtain tones have a 33% improved efficiency in heat reduction.
Bonus Advice: Prepare for Thunderstorms
Aside from preparing for the summer heat, it's important to protect your home against summer's increased risks of turbulent thunderstorms. The warm season's extended daylight hours can result in significant energy buildups and sudden storm activity. Keeping a few careful measures safeguards your loved ones and property when the weather goes south.
For starters, always ensure you have a thunderstorm supply kit on hand to help you get around the house during a power outage. Your emergency supplies should include bottled water, batteries, torchlights, and other items for weathering the storm.
Next, keeping your gutters and downspouts clean and clutter-free is necessary to maintain the undisrupted flow of excess rainwater when a storm hits. Debris and dirt can clog your gutter streams, resulting in floods and leaks that could cause serious property damage.
Finally, observing some basic generator practices is essential to keep yourself safe when repowering your home's electric sources. Ensure that your generator passes the latest industry quality-control tests, and let your machines cool down first if you need to refuel them. These safety measures can help avoid burns and explosions.
When operating a generator, remember to direct the machine's exhaust away from your living area and keep it at least 20 feet away in an outdoor area away from the main building. Never operate an outdoor generator under wet weather conditions, so keeping makeshift tents and shelters on standby is advisable.
OnPoint Energy - Sustainable Solutions for the Summer Heat
Preparing for the summer heat with a trusted energy provider like OnPoint Energy provides you access to cost-effective utility plans while coping with the harshest seasonal changes.
Aside from offering energy-efficient solutions at practical rates, OnPoint Energy also provides excellent customer service that is here to help you whenever you need it. Do you live in a deregulated part of Texas? If so, switching to OnPoint Energy opens doors to clear electricity plans, stable rates, and a team that ensures the best service experience. Contact OnPoint Energy to discover the most suitable energy plan for your household needs and enjoy the summer without worry!