Summer months often come with higher energy costs because of the increased cooling needs. Also, you may notice some damages in your home, both superficial and structural, caused by the previous winter season. 

 

To help you get your mobile home back in shape and allow you to enjoy a comfortable temperature amidst the sweltering summer heat, we have created a list of tips and tricks: 

 

1. Inspect and clean your gutters

 

Remove leaves and debris from your gutters and inspect for any sign of damage or leaks. You may also want to trim tree branches that are too close to the roof. 

 

2. Inspect your roof

 

You don’t have to climb up your roof to do your inspection. Instead, you can do this simply by going to a higher location and arming yourself with a pair of binoculars to look for warped or missing shingles and damaged metal flashing. 

 

If you see any sign of roof damage, call a professional. 

 

3. Scrub down your gas grill

 

While cleaning the gas grill is a tedious chore everyone wants to avoid, this should nonetheless be part of your summer preparation. Remember, grease buildup can lead to strange smells and flare-ups while grilling. 

 

To clean your grill quicker, heat it for at least 10 minutes at high temperatures to loosen the gunk inside the cook box. Then, disconnect the gas line and wait for the grill to reach a temperature at which you can safely clean its drip tray, burners, and grates with warm, soapy water. 

 

You can also use vinegar spray and baking soda to clean and sanitize your grill. 

 

4. Inspect your patio or walkway

 

Sometimes, freezing and thawing due to changing seasons cause the upper layers of the ground to move, which in turn may result in cracks or misalignment/gaps in your pavers. 

 

If any pavers become misaligned, raise them and move them back in place, or flip them over if they have chips (if you don’t have a replacement). But for cracks on concrete walkways, fill in the gaps using masonry fillers that match the surrounding color. 

 

5. Give your deck a facelift

 

Use a power washer or a cleaning solution to remove stains, mold, mildew, and dirt on your deck. You can also give it a quick facelift by resealing or staining it, which should be done every year to protect the wood from moisture, UV rays, and rot. (Note: You should not go beyond three years without resealing it.)

 

6. Weatherproof your exterior doors and windows 

 

Caulk any gaps in the door and window frame to prevent air leaks that cause your cooling cost to spike up. You can easily find caulking materials in your local hardware store, ranging from acrylic latex and silicone latex to polyurethane. 

 

Also, don’t forget to weatherproof the bottom part of the exterior door where it meets the threshold, where most air leaks happen. If your door is “in-swinging,” make sure to attach the sweeper on its inside.

 

7. Prep your windows

 

About 50% of thermal gain occurs through windows, making it important to summer-proof them to keep your cooling cost at a minimum. To do this, you can use thick, dark curtains, install awnings around windows, or use insulating shutters or reflective films. 

 

8. Consider installing fans

 

While it may seem counterproductive to run your fan and AC simultaneously because they both use electricity to operate, it is far from the truth. 

 

To reduce your cooling cost, set your AC on the lowest possible settings and use a fan to circulate the cold air.

 

9. Summer-proof your attic

 

Installing attic fans and vents can prevent hot air from building up in your attic. 

 

10. Get your AC ready

 

You may want to consider getting a professional AC tune-up every year, ideally early in the summer. A clean, well-functioning air conditioner unit uses less energy and is quieter than a neglected AC with dirty filters. 

 

11. Replace your HVAC’s air filters

 

In general, you should replace your air filters every 30-90 days. However, if you have allergies or pets or live in a neighborhood with poor air quality, you may want to replace them sooner. 

 

12. Use a smart thermostat

 

A smart thermostat can help you reduce your cooling cost. A good rule of thumb is to set it at a higher temperature while you’re away and program it to cool your home 30 minutes before your return. 

 

Also, place your thermostat on an interior wall, away from direct light, windows, air vents, and any heat-producing appliances/devices. In this way, it can operate efficiently and only cool your home based on your actual needs.