Prepare your New Home in Dallas for Summer
Four Ways to Get Your New Home in Dallas Primed for Hot Weather
Long, scorching days are almost here, and you want to be sure your abode is ready to handle the heat. If you have a new residence or are about to move to Dallas, you possibly have not yet contemplated how your house will fare once hot weather is here.
You will definitely benefit by getting your new home ready for scorching days, and there are a few items you can do now that will help to make the changeover to hot weather an easy one. Below are four steps to get your new house prepared for summer in Dallas.
Seal Windows and Doors
A lot of homeowners realize that windows and doors readily allow air conditioned air to leak out, if they aren't well sealed at the edges. But, the problem might be greater than you believe, since around one-third of your house's cooled air can be lost through leakage in these vulnerable areas.
That's why you should take time to evaluate windows and doors to make sure they are adequately sealed to protect from air loss. Weather-stripping must be given the once-over and replaced if it is hard, weak or cracked. For areas where weather-stripping is hard to put in, silicone caulk will offer guarding against leaks.
Also, be sure to close big gaps with expanding foam. Available in easy-to-use spray cans, expanding foam can provide maximum barrier for wide-open spots around doors and windows.
Perform an Air Conditioning System Tune-Up
Your new home's A/C system will probably be heavily utilized over the summer months, so you need to be positive it is competent to handle the load placed upon it. That is why you should get in touch with a professional to perform a thorough system inspection and tune-up.
Definitely, you need to ensure that your air conditioner's heat-transferring parts, the evaporator and condenser, are very clean. Dust, dirt and other debris can impede an adequate transfer of heat from your residence, which makes your system less effective and economical.
Also, be sure that the air filters are checked several times over the course of the summer. Clean filters allow for better air flow and also avert stress on your system. In due time, the relatively small sum you invest in air filters will save you money in decreased energy costs and longer equipment lifespans.
Enhance Attic and Crawlspace Insulation
Insulation is imperative for preventing hot air from penetrating your home and for allowing the inside to remain cool. You will want to take a closer look at your attic and crawlspace, if applicable, to make sure these places are well-insulated.
Many heat and air companies offer no-cost insulation inspections, so you should talk to a professional to obtain their advice.
Install LED Bulbs and Fixtures
Lots of people don't understand just how much heat an incandescent bulb produces, but the truth is that only a little over two percent of the energy consumed by a traditional bulb is in the form of light. That means a house full of incandescent bulbs creates a decent amount of heat that must be overcome by an air conditioner over summer.
You can notably reduce this heat load by replacing existing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. These solid-state devices convert most of the electrical energy to light and give off very little heat relative to older lighting technologies. Not only can you conserve money on your electric bill, LED lights frequently will last for a long time and will diminish your need to frequently replace bulbs.
And, if you are preparing for a move to Dallas, A-1 Freeman Moving Group can assist to get you into that new house that is now totally ready for the summer. Click here to learn more.