Boise summers are glorious, with long sunny days perfect for enjoying the outdoors. But those same sunny days can turn your home into an oven if you’re not prepared. High temperatures can lead to uncomfortable living spaces, skyrocketing energy bills, and even damage to your home’s systems.
We want to help you stay cool and comfortable all season long. Here are some practical tips to get your Boise home ready for the summer heat, keeping it efficient and enjoyable.
1. HVAC Tune-Up: Your First Line of Defense
Your air conditioning system is going to be working overtime this summer. Don’t wait until the mercury hits 90 degrees to find out it’s not performing optimally.
- Schedule a Professional Tune-Up: Before the peak heat arrives (ideally in late spring), have a qualified HVAC technician inspect and service your AC unit. They’ll clean coils, check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, and ensure everything is running efficiently. This preventative maintenance can prevent costly breakdowns and improve energy efficiency.
- Change Your Air Filters: This is a simple but crucial task you can do yourself. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, making your AC work harder and less efficiently. Aim to change them monthly during heavy use, or at least every 1-3 months.
2. Seal Out the Heat: Combatting Air Leaks
Think of your home as a giant cooler. Just like a cooler with a leaky lid won’t keep things cold, a house with air leaks will let the hot air in and the cool air out.
- Weatherstripping and Caulking: Inspect around windows and doors for any gaps or cracks. Apply fresh weatherstripping to doors and caulk around window frames. This is an inexpensive way to significantly improve your home’s insulation and reduce your AC’s workload.
- Check for Attic Leaks: Hot air rises, and if your attic isn’t properly sealed and insulated, it can transfer a lot of heat into your living spaces. Consider checking your attic access hatch for proper sealing and ensuring adequate insulation.
3. Optimize Your Windows: Block the Sun’s Rays
Windows are a major source of heat gain in any home, especially those facing south or west.
- Utilize Window Coverings: Close blinds, curtains, or shades during the hottest parts of the day, particularly on windows that receive direct sunlight. Light-colored or reflective blinds are especially effective at bouncing sunlight away.
- Consider Window Films or Awnings: For particularly sunny windows, consider installing reflective window films or exterior awnings. These can drastically reduce heat transfer and keep your home significantly cooler.
4. Smart Thermostat Usage: Control Your Comfort
A programmable or smart thermostat can be your best friend when it comes to energy efficiency.
- Set a Schedule: Program your thermostat to raise the temperature when you’re away from home and lower it before you return.
- Resist Drastic Changes: Avoid setting your thermostat to a very low temperature when you first come home. This just makes your AC work harder and doesn’t cool your home down much faster. A comfortable and energy-efficient setting for summer is typically around 78°F when you’re home.
5. Outdoor Unit Care: Give Your AC Room to Breathe
Your outdoor AC unit (condenser) needs proper airflow to dissipate heat effectively.
- Clear Debris: Ensure the area around your outdoor unit is free of leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, and other debris. Aim for at least two feet of clearance on all sides.
- Gently Clean Coils: If you notice dirt or grime on the outdoor coils, you can gently spray them with a hose. However, for a thorough cleaning, it’s best to leave this to a professional during your annual tune-up.
6. Improve Air Circulation: Fans are Your Friends
While fans don’t actually cool the air, they create a wind chill effect that can make you feel cooler, allowing you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher.
- Ceiling Fans: Ensure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer to push cool air down.
- Box Fans/Floor Fans: Use portable fans to create cross-ventilation and move air through your home.
Don’t Let the Boise Heat Get You Down!
By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly improve your home’s comfort and efficiency during the hot Boise summer. Not only will you enjoy a cooler living space, but you’ll also likely see a welcome reduction in your energy bills.