Keep Your House Cool This Summer: What NOT To Do
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For people who spend a lot of time talking about the heat and high electric bills, a lot of y’all sure don’t act like you’re really trying. Based on a sampling of home inspections, that is. I mean we’re not out here trying to call anybody out or anything, but all I’m saying is, I’m keeping my examples to four today because I have a space limitation, not because I don’t have many, many more. I kid, I kid. That’s just a little gentle ribbing to say that we can all be a little lazy about energy efficiency, especially when we’re hot and grumpy come August. I certainly can’t find any examples in my own house …
So if you’re looking for ways to keep your house cool this August while saving on energy bills, here are some examples of what not to do, from our Inspectors in the field:
Condenser Cluster …
We’re pretty sure that this is a roll of faux leaf netting that you use to cover a fence or things like that. In any case, someone has decided to store it on top of their AC condenser. It’s super handy in this picture because the other one is right there to show you exactly why this is a terrible idea. Do you see the fan on the second one that you can’t see on the first one? How well do you suppose the AC is performing when that leaf thingy blocks the fan on the condenser? Yeah. You need to keep your fans and coils free of debris, and the coils do need to be cleaned at least once a year.
Outlet Overload
Did you know overloading an outlet can not only trip breakers, overheat appliances, and possibly cause a fire, but it also uses more electricity than if you spread them out appropriately? This is also an exposed outlet (no cover) in the attic, where no one will see it if it overheats or sparks, so the fire danger is even worse. If your setup starts reminding you of Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation, just unplug everything and start over. Try to use GFCI-protected outlets or plugs whenever possible, and if your project gets too complicated, consult an electrician.
Fluff, Fold, and Clean the Dryer Vent
If you’re anything like me, there’s my job, and when I’m not doing my job, I’m doing my other job, which is laundry. Night and day, and it’s never done. What does this have to do with keeping your house cool? That pesky dryer vent gets filled up with lint. Not the one on the inside of the machine, but the one in the wall that you see in the image. And when it gets full, it makes the dryer work harder and longer, and that uses more electricity and makes your houses hot. In this image, the inspector had checked the outside and found it was clean — they had recently cleaned it on that side — but on the inside, it was totally clogged. So make sure you check both ends.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your house cool and more energy efficient, you can have a Home Energy Assessment. We perform a thorough analysis of the house to determine areas where energy (and money) is being lost. Now stay cool, and take good care of your home!
