Tips for the Summertime Homeowner By: Jillian Klein
For most people, summertime means a time for rest and relaxation. It is a time intended for barbecues, tanning by the pool, walking alongside the ocean tide, and sitting around a bonfire at night with friends. However, for the Florida homeowner, summertime often means a time for stressed hearts and stretched wallets. It is a time for hurricane shutters, increased air conditioning bills, constant pool maintenance, and aggressive pest control. As a proud employee of Collins and Company, I speak honestly when I say that our first concern is to alleviate the frazzled homeowner by offering our various services and to secondly, provide long-term solutions for our clientele. At Collins and Company, we not only provide our real estate expertise for those who are looking to purchase or rent a property, but we also provide our unique concierge services so you can get back to enjoying your summer.
Here are some ways to cut back on energy costs this summer:
1. Set your air conditioner thermostat as high as comfortable – perhaps 76ºF or higher when you’re at home, and 78ºF when you are gone. Keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
2. Minimize indoor heat: run the dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It's best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.
3. Have your central air conditioner tuned up every 6 months and replace filters monthly for more efficient operation.
4. Set your water heater to 120ºF.
5. Keep the blinds and windows closed during the day and open at night. This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.
6. Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are also low-cost ways to stay comfortable.
7. Wash clothes in cold water and clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use.
8. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs, DVD players and computers into power strips and turn off the power strips when the equipment is not in use.
9. Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators if you can, especially if they spend the summer outdoors or in a garage.
10. If you have a pool: consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30 minute increments daily. Keep on reducing the time as long as the water appears clean. You may find you only need to run your pool filter six hours a day. Install a timer to control the length of time that the pool pump cycles on.
Cut back on energy costs this summer by following some of these easy steps and cut back on the stress of buying, selling and owning a home by utilizing the professional team here at Collins and Company. We are ready to help you get back to enjoying your summer!