The sun is shining, the flowers are fully in bloom, and the heat has finally arrived. Summer is here and now is the perfect time to be outside but with every seasonal change comes seasonal cleaning so here is a step-by-step guide to prepare your home for the season and everything that comes after it.
Encor summer energy checklist
Wash exterior windows
With the temperature heating, the summer is the perfect time to clean the inside and outside of your windows. This can be more difficult depending on the size of your home and the number of windows but should definitely be considered every summer. Clean windows can make a huge difference in the amount of light they let in and when the colder seasons start, it will definitely help keep your home warm.
Inspect window screens
When you're washing your windows, keep an eye out on any tears in window or door screens. Rips can allow pests to enter your home and when you have the windows open to let in some fresh air, bugs are the last thing you want coming in. Retail and home improvement stores often carry screen repair kits if you do find holes.
Reverse your ceiling fan
If you followed our winter checklist, you should have set your ceiling fan to run clockwise to help push warm air to the ground. Now that it's summer, you'll want to reverse the spin direction so that it is running counterclockwise. Although ceiling fans don't cool down the air, they can keep the air moving and the reverse direction will instead push cold air downward.
Replace your furnace filters
The changing of the seasons is the perfect reminder to change your furnace filters as well. This is also dependent on the size of your filters. A good rule of thumb is to replace them every 1 to 3 months for 1-2" filters, every 6 to 9 months for 3-4" filters, and every 9 to 12 months for 5-6" filters. Take a look at what you are currently using and set a reminder to stay on top of keeping them replaced and clean.
Clean your home's siding and deck
You are already planning on spending a lot more time outside this summer, why not keep these areas clean and enjoyable? Keeping your siding clean not only looks nice but helps make it last. If your siding or deck isn't too fragile, a pressure washer is one of the easiest and fastest ways to clean them. Just make sure it's not too powerful and you follow the proper care instructions with the machine.
Inspect your driveway
Lastly, this is the best time to take a look at your driveway and make sure the snow and rain haven't left cracks in it. Weather fluctuations can be a nightmare for concrete so keep your eyes peeled for small holes and cracks on the driveway. You'll want to fill them with a cement repair product or else they can lead to even more serious damage.
Keep this list handy and check back next year when you need to do it all over again. A safe and efficient spring can make for an even safer and more efficient summer. For more helpful tips visit our blog.
