4 Ways to Get Your New Home in Houston Primed for Hot WeatherLong, sweltering weeks are just around the corner, and you need to make sure your home is prepared to handle the heat. If you have recently moved or will be moving soon to Houston, you may not have yet thought about how your residence will manage over the summer.
You will definitely benefit by getting your new home ready for warm days, and there are a few tasks you get started today that can assist to make the change in seasons a smooth one. Read on for 4 ways to get your new abode prepared for summer in Houston.
A lot of homeowners grasp that windows and doors readily allow cold air to escape, if they are not suitably sealed at the edges. But, the problem might be greater than you believe, since around 33% of your abode's cooled air can be lost through leakage in these exposed areas.
That's why you must take a minute to inspect windows and doors to make sure they are satisfactorily sealed to protect from air loss. Weather-stripping needs to be given the once-over and replaced if it is hard, crumbling or cracked. For areas where weather-stripping is difficult to install, silicone caulk can provide protection against leaks.
In addition, make sure to close big gaps with expanding foam. Available in easy-to-use spray cans, expanding foam will provide the utmost protection for wide-open areas around doors and windows.
Your new residence's A/C system will probably be heavily employed this summer, so you need to be positive it is competent to handle the load placed upon it. That is why you will want to get in touch with a professional to perform a thorough system inspection and tune-up.
Definitely, you should be sure that your air conditioner's heat-transferring parts, the evaporator and condenser, are very clean. Dust, dirt and other debris can prevent an adequate transfer of heat from your house, which makes your system less effective and productive.
Also, make sure that the air filters are changed routinely during the course of the summer. Clean filters allow for better air flow and also limit stress on your system. Ultimately, the rather small cost you invest in air filters will save you money in decreased energy costs and longer equipment lifespans.
Insulation is crucial for prohibiting outside air from penetrating your home and for allowing the inside to remain cool. You need to check out your attic and crawlspace, if applicable, to make sure these places are well-insulated.
Many heat and air companies provide free insulation inspections, so you should consult a professional to hear their recommendation.
Lots of people do not realize just how much heat an incandescent bulb produces, but the reality is that only a little over 2% of the energy consumed by a traditional bulb is in the form of light. That means a residence filled with incandescent bulbs generates a fairly large amount of heat that must be surmounted by an air conditioner during summer.
You can significantly decrease this heat load by replacing current incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. These solid-state devices turn much of the electrical energy to light and give off very little heat relative to older lighting technologies. Not only can you save money on your electric cost, LED lights often will last for a long time and will diminish your need to frequently replace bulbs.
And, if you are preparing for a move to Houston, A-1 Freeman Moving Group can help get you into that new home that is now totally ready for the hot weather. Click here to learn more.
