It is that time of the year again—the sun is blazing, the air is getting hot, and our homes are starting to cook us. Yes, it is summer again. It is not yet in full swing but we are already feeling the heat and some parts of the word are already struggling to cope with the increased temperatures. Thankfully, many of us still have time to prepare. If you want to get your home prepared for the inevitable heat waves, then here are a couple of tips to get you started.
Prepare some fans
For those of us who are not fortunate enough to own an air conditioning unit, we have to rely on fans. Sadly, when it actually comes to summer, fans shoot up in price and it’s not unlikely to see them cost twice as much as their retail price or to see scalpers on eBay buying low and selling high. As a result, you are better off getting a fan or two now while it is not as hot. If it reaches summer and you are desperate to get a new fan, then you will have very little choice to pick from and you will be expected to pay ridiculous prices for a basic fan.
… or maintain your air conditioner
Since you have probably not used your air conditioning unit for a while, it is a good idea to have it checked so you can ensure it works for the summer. The last thing you want is for it to break down while it is boiling hot, so get it fixed and maintained while you still can and while the electricians are not swarmed with broken AC calls. Get the best AC repair possible, ensure it’s working fine and replace the filters if necessary. If you are not sure how to maintain your air conditioning unit properly, then do not be afraid to consult a manual or ask a friend for help.
Double-check your smart home devices
If you have been installing new smart home devices, such as a smart thermostat or windows, then it is a good idea to test their “cool” or “summer” functions to ensure that they are working correctly and there are no software or hardware malfunctions. Although most smart home appliances work fine without much intervention, there are times when they can act strange or behave erratically, so ensure they are working as advertised and get them repaired as soon as possible.
Control those pests
With summer comes a whole host of pests and insects that will invade your home. Ants, for instance, are very common during the summer months and they only need a small crack in order to get inside your home. Make sure you stock up on some ant traps so you can react when they start marching across your home. However, keep in mind that ants follow each other, so you can usually trace the ants to their source and take out the nest or place traps closer to the nest. You also want to buy insect nets so that when you open the windows or doors, you can let the air in and keep the bugs out.
