Prepare Your Home for Summer & Save Money

Simple Ideas to Save Money This Summer

 

Summer is officially here and it can be costly. Summer brings many unexpected expenses, such as summer guests, more entertaining, road trips, vacations, increased utility bills, and much more. There are ways to be kind to the environment while saving money this summer. Summer days are longer, the weather is amazing in Sonoma County and we are sharing some simple ideas to make your summer less costly so you have more money to do what you love!

 

Tune Up Your HVAC System

 

If you haven’t done it already, tuning up your HVAC system saves you money during the summer. Your tune-up can be as simple as changing out your HVAC filter so your system runs better. Turning off vents to rooms you don’t need to cool during the summer will also save you money. Be sure to set your HVAC temperature controls to summer settings.

 

PG&E Time of Use Can Save Money

 

Knowing your family’s energy consumption style can save you money any time of year, but especially in the summer. When you know your energy consumption patterns, you can choose the best PG&E plan that will save you money. Restricting high consumption to the time of day when rates will be the lowest will save you money. Also, many people don’t know about PG&E’s C.A.R.E. plan or they believe it is for people that are very low income. PG&E’s FERA plan is for very low-income households, but the CARE plan will have some surprises for you in allowable income levels for receiving benefits that could cut your utility bill by a sizable amount.

 

Ceiling Fans Can Save Money & Make Summer More Comfortable

 

Ceiling fans move an amazing amount of air and are a good investment for your home year-round. In the summer remember to change the rotation of your ceiling fans to counterclockwise to push cooling air down in your room. When ceiling fans are used correctly you can save by not running your air conditioner only on very hot days. Remember to open your windows during the evening to cool down your home and keep them open till the day starts heating up. We also use a box fan in front of some of our largest windows to push the cooling night air into our rooms instead of running the air conditioner.

 

Consider installing ceiling fans on your outdoor deck to move the air, keep your family cooler, and to keep bugs away. If you have a deck with overhang or an enclosed sunroom or enclosed porch, ceiling fans add distinctive style while keeping your family cool while enjoying the outdoors.

 

Be Smart About Watering Systems

 

Your landscaping may need extra water during the summer. It’s possible to set your timer so your water goes on when it hydrates your landscaping best while also timing your watering to be at PG&E’s lowest rate period for your plan. This provides a double win for your landscaping and budget. If you repair your own irrigation, keep in mind that drip irrigation uses less water than traditional sprinkler systems. You can also choose different emitter heads for individual plant needs so you don’t overwater plants.

 

Check Indoor Humidity

 

You usually want to aim for your indoor humidity range to be between 40-50% in the summer months. Humidity levels that are above 60% can lead to mold, and dust mites, and cause other challenges for health. Two good investments for your home are room thermometers with humidity levels for each room. Some of the new Smart HVAC have monitoring system per room. This small digital hydrometer will let you know your room’s temperature and humidity level. Many of indoor digital hygrometers now come with their own app so you can remotely check each room in your home easily.

 

Aerate Your Lawn for Water-Saving

 

When I was a kid, my dad would give us the lawn aerator at the beginning of the summer to help aerate the lawn. Aerating your lawn allows for better water absorption because it helps the soil breathe and soak up water and nutrients better. The tool is inexpensive and a bargain that helps your lawn stay healthy and green with less water. Online stores have lawn aerator attachments for shoes, making this task really simple.

Deep Cleaning Your Outdoor Grill

 

Taking your cooking outdoors in the summer is enjoyable and keeps your home much cooler. A well-cleaned grill performs better. If you have a gas grill, first scrub the grates with a grill brush and then soak them in a mixture 2:1 of 2 parts vinegar to 1 part baking soda. Be sure to dust off cobwebs from your grill that can cause flare-ups if they ignite. Both Lowes and Home Deport provide step-by-step cleaning guides for gas, charcoal, and pellet grills.

Hot Tub & Pool Maintenance Time

 

Some homeowners run their pools year-round, but others only run their pools in late Spring through Fall. If you are only running your pool seasonally this is the time to test all your equipment and prepare your pool for summer. Some of us get critters in our pool during the early spring when it’s still cold, such as a frog or two. If this is the case with your pool, buying a frog log to let your frogs exit the pool is the kindest way to rid your pool of frogs. Once you have created an escape path spraying the edges of your pool with vinegar will have your frogs leaving and the frog logs give them an easy path.

The beginning of summer is a good time to clean or replace your hot tub filter. My dogs love it when I clean our hot tub filter with a high-powered attachment on our hose. Many hot tub supply stores sell a filter cleaning spray that is environmentally friendly, and once sprayed on your filter, it makes cleaning the filter and replacing in your hot tub a breeze.

We hope you have a wonderful summer and encourage you to call us at 707-827-3316 or fill out our FREE estimate form for house cleaning and one of our cleaning professionals will call you promptly. Taking house cleaning off your to-do list frees up so much time so you can do more of what you love!