6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer

1. Check and service your air conditioning system

1. Check and service your air conditioning system

Canadians are notorious for wishing for warm weather… and then complaining when the temperature gets too hot. In most parts of the country, summers can get sticky and uncomfortable when you don’t have the right cooling systems in place. If you have air conditioning in your home, it’s best to get your system checked and serviced before you need to use it.

Even if your system is relatively new, it’s worth scheduling a professional inspection – a well-maintained air conditioner can last between 15-20 years¹, and regular service can help ensure it runs smoothly. It’s worth noting that the most important task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to regularly clean or replace filters. Even if you don’t go with a full service this year, a check on your filters is a must. It’s also smart to clean and clear your vents. Simply unscrew and remove the vent covers, use a vacuum to clear dust from the vents, and wash the covers if they’re dirty.

2. Optimize your home’s insulation

2. Optimize your home’s insulation

When temperatures soar outside, you want to keep the cool air in and prevent it from leaking out as much as possible. Did you know? A typical home can lose between 25% and 40% of its cooling energy through leaks².

Windows are a major source of potential air leaks, especially if your home’s windows are older. If you’re not in a position to buy new windows but they’re leaking air, replacing or adding weatherstripping and caulking around the frame can do a lot to seal the cool air inside. The framing around doors can also be a major culprit of leaks – caulking or sealant can help fill gaps or holes that may have developed.

Further, insulating your attic is an effective way to keep your home cooler during the summer months. Having a sufficiently insulated attic can help regulate your home’s temperature and take the pressure off your air conditioner. How do you know if you have enough insulation? If the insulation level in your attic is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more.

3. Spruce up your outdoor spaces

3. Spruce up your outdoor spaces

Whether you have a sprawling outdoor space or a tiny patch of land, summer gives you some extra living space to enjoy – so why not make the most of it?

If you have a deck or patio, you may have noticed a layer of grime covering the surface after being exposed to a range of weather conditions over the winter and spring. A patio is relatively easy to clean with a hose or power sprayer, and it’s an exercise worth doing before you get out your furniture. If you’ve got a deck, finding a company that does professional deck cleaning and restoration may be worthwhile. A simple cleaning service can bring back the wood and get your deck looking ready for summer. A more comprehensive restoration or staining service can make it look like new.

If you have an outdoor grill, taking the time to clean and service it before it gets a full summer workout is also a great task to do right now. If you didn’t do a thorough cleaning of your grill at the end of last season, there may be some build-up from the last time you used it. And, off-season rain, snow and maybe the presence of a critter or two could mean cleaning is essential! Whether your grill is stainless steel, cast iron or porcelain, it may have specific cleaning instructions. Be sure to consult your manual and clean both the inside and outside so that it’s ready for a summer of great food.

Giving your green spaces some love is also an important step to fully enjoying the outdoors this summer. From weeding and fertilizing, to planting, trimming, and edging, keeping your lawn and gardens looking their best will enhance the look and atmosphere of your outdoor space.

4. Run through a safety checklist

4. Run through a safety checklist

The summertime offers a perfect opportunity to address home safety tasks. In many parts of the country, summer can bring storms so it’s essential to prepare for severe weather events before they happen. Clearing gutters and downspouts can help ensure they can do their job in heavy rains, and checking the roof can help you reduce damage. Trimming trees and ensuring outside structures (such as sheds or pergolas) are strong and secure can give you the peace of mind that they will hold up in bad weather.

Plus, as temperatures rise, so does pest activity. Regular treatment around your property, along with professional pest inspections, can help you effectively control pests before they become a problem. Testing or installing outdoor lighting can also boost the overall safety of your home – smart lights that turn on with outdoor activity can be an excellent investment in your family’s security.

5. Prepare for emergencies

5. Prepare for emergencies

Unfortunately, the summer season in many parts of Canada means the onset of wildfire season. If you live in an area at a higher risk for wildfires, it’s important to develop plans and take action to protect yourself. Having a robust emergency kit on hand is essential, as is an evacuation plan that the entire family has rehearsed and memorized.

If your community is prone to rain or windstorms, be sure to have sufficient water and non-perishable food should there be a power outage. Staying up to date on the weather and monitoring events as they happen can help you be prepared.

6. Get smart with energy efficiency

6. Get smart with energy efficiency

It’s no secret that summer brings higher energy bills as we try to keep our homes cool. Fortunately, some smart devices can help homeowners use less energy and keep their bills down.

Energy-efficient appliances are a great place to start – particularly when it comes to major systems such as your cooling appliances. Whether it’s an energy-efficient air conditioner or a heat pump (which keeps your house cool by removing warm air from indoors), there are options for cooling your home efficiently. You can also make use of smart thermostats to ensure you’re keeping your home only as cool as you need to. For instance, you can program your thermostat according to when you’re at home when you’re sleeping, and when you’re away. Smart lighting can work much in the same way, boosting both your home’s efficiency and security.

Beyond purchasing smart devices, simple actions can go a long way to improving your home’s efficiency in the summer. Keeping your blinds closed during particularly hot and sunny days, using ceiling fans, choosing a clothesline over a dryer, and reducing the use of your oven are all ways to use less energy during the hot summer months.