Massachusetts is known for its brutal winters, so you are most likely accustomed to winter-proofing your home if you live in this state. However, in recent years, Massachusetts has likewise been seeing its summers grow increasingly hot. Higher and higher temperatures are recorded each year, which means it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to also summer-proof your home before the hot months start trickling in.
Here is a checklist on how you can prepare your home for summers in Massachusetts:
- Have your appliances checked
Your refrigeration and HVAC systems are modern appliances or not, they have to be in top shape before you welcome the summer months. If this is your first time getting an AC unit for your home, make sure you get the appropriate size to ensure the efficiency of your cooling system.
It is also recommended to install ceiling fans in every room for days when it’s not too hot. This way, you can save on your cooling costs by giving the AC system some downtime.
used with permission from Jack Garner Photography
- Start planting/landscaping
Strategically planting bushes, shrubs, and leafy trees ahead of the hot months is a good way to organically generate cool air for your home once summer strikes. Make sure to position your best plants near the house’s windows, so they can prevent the transfer of excess heat into your home.
Planting and landscaping aren’t easy, though, so it’s best to know the kinds of common landscaping mistakes that homeowners make, so you can actively avoid them when exercising your green thumb.
- Prepare to maximize solar energy
The summer months present a perfect opportunity for you to finally start using cleaner, renewable energy. Don’t worry if you live in a rental space or if your roof is simply not apt for the installation of rooftop solar panels since you can simply subscribe to community solar in MA.
One benefit of switching to solar power is that it is now cheaper than non-renewables, making it handy for the hot summer months when you will inevitably use more power to keep the house cool.
used with permission from Jack Garner Photography
- Upgrade your home insulation
When your ducts and vents let in outside air into air-conditioned parts of the house, it can do horrible things to both your HVAC system and your power bills. This is why it’s important to upgrade your home insulation, even if it’s just to replace your air filters. Of course, you can add extra insulation on top of your existing system, but for this, it’s better to consult with a professional to ensure all systems go. During the course of the summer, make sure you vacuum your air intake vents regularly to ensure the steady flow of air.
- Cover up your windows
If you’re trying to live with less dependence on electricity and artificial lighting, you would most probably have large windows that let a lot of natural light in. Well, in the summer, these same windows can make it hard for you to keep the inside of the house cool enough. Therefore, you have to protect your windows by installing awnings, screen shades, or even just extra thick drapes to keep the heat out.
used with permission from Jack Garner Photography
- Seal doors and windows
Any seals or cracks in your windows and doors can also let hot air in, which you definitely don’t want because it puts more strain on your cooling system. To make sure everything is sealed and the heat is trapped out, you can add caulk or weatherstripping to the cracks and openings of your doors and windows.
- Keep an eye on weather forecasts
Summers in Massachusetts is almost always accompanied by thunderstorms, so you have to be prepared for every possible scenario. It may be the most unpredictable summer you’ll experience, so make it a point to watch weather forecasts every day to know what you’ll be dealing with.
Forces of nature are unstoppable and inevitable, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to mitigate the impact and make sure we come out in one piece (and not broke). So hopefully, these tips on how to summer-proof your Massachusetts home can help you ride out the next wave of hot months. Thanks to Choosesolar.org for consulting.
