Summer is just around the corner! As temperatures rise, you want your home to be somewhere you can cool off, so make sure your home is ready to beat the heat with these summer preparation tips.

Check and clean your HVAC system

There’s nothing worse than your air conditioner breaking down on an already-sweltering day. To keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape, it’s time to check on your air conditioner and give it a good cleaning. 

If you have central AC, it’s probably time to change the filter. Experts recommend replacing it every 90 days, or potentially more in seasons with high pollen counts (like right now as spring turns into summer!) Be sure to have your HVAC serviced by a professional at least once a year, so if you’re overdue, now’s the time. If you have a window AC, pop those filters out and clean them with soapy water to prevent them from blowing more dust into your home.

Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise

While a fan’s clockwise motion creates an updraft that distributes warm air around the room, switching it to move counterclockwise creates a downdraft that creates the cooling windchill effect you’re looking for.

In case this is your first time learning you can change the direction your ceiling fan moves, most fans have a switch that can be found on the side of the base. If you still have it on hand, your fan’s product manual should be able to tell you what to do. Just make sure you’re flipping the switch while the fan is off and not actively spinning.

Activate dehumidifiers

Long Island is considered a humid subtropical climate, which is great to spend time in outdoors, but “hot and humid” isn’t typically what you want in a home. The EPA recommends keeping humidity levels in your home below 60%, with an ideal range from 30-50%.

To combat the Long Island summer humidity and get your home within that range, it’s time to bust out your dehumidifier(s). If you don’t have enough to cover your whole house, prioritize higher humidity areas like basements.

Clean out gutters

Summer is an especially important time to have clean gutters. If water sits stagnant in your gutter for too long, it can attract mosquitos and other pests. Even worse, water overflow from clogged gutters can damage multiple parts of your home, from walls and ceilings to driveways to your home’s foundation. 

Make sure your gutters are clear and free from signs of damage like rust, loose brackets, or holes. If you’re cleaning yourself, be safe and use a sturdy ladder and gloves, but this may be a good time to call in a professional.

There’s an easy way to make sure all the important parts of your home are in working order before the summer heat hits: hiring a home inspector. If you’re on Long Island and need an inspection, reach out to me today!