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Roundup: Home Tips for Summer in Texas
How well will your home weather a heat wave?
There’s no denying it: Texas summers have poor manners. They arrive early and often overstay their welcome. One day, we’re enjoying long evenings on the porch, and the next the yard is thirsty, the house feels stuffy, and our utility bills start climbing with the temperature. The good news is that while the unrelenting heat of summer puts extra strain on our homes and landscaping, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.
When the heat takes a toll on everything, it can be hard to know what needs your attention first. These summer home maintenance guides can help you identify and tackle the season’s biggest trouble spots, from overburdened HVAC systems and crispy lawns to what to do when the power goes out during a heat wave.
Improve Energy Efficiency
When temperatures climb, small inefficiencies can make a big difference in your comfort and your utility bill. Start with your annual home maintenance checklist to spot seasonal tasks you may have missed, from sealing drafts to checking major systems. Keep your home cool during heat waves by closing blinds, using fans strategically, and improving airflow. Not sure where to set the thermostat? Find the best summer thermostat setting for your home and routine. And because extreme weather can strain the grid, make sure you’re prepared for power outages with backup lighting, emergency supplies, and a safe plan for food, water, and generators.
Irrigate with Intention
A healthy yard doesn’t have to mean watering more — it means watering smarter. Help protect your grass from heat by watering at the right time of day, mowing a little higher, and watching for signs of drought stress. Before you set the sprinkler and forget it, make sure you’re watering your lawn efficiently so you can conserve water, follow local restrictions, and still give your landscape what it needs. You can also create a more drought-tolerant yard with native plants, mulch, shade, and healthy soil, or by xeriscaping. For garden beds, pots, and thirsty plants that need extra care, learn how to hand-water plants so moisture reaches the roots rather than running off.
Maintain Your HVAC Unit
Your HVAC system does a lot of behind-the-scenes work this time of year, so don’t wait until something sounds funny (or stops working) to give it attention. Follow an annual HVAC maintenance checklist to stay on top of filter changes, vent cleaning, seasonal service, and other tasks that help your system run efficiently. While you’re working through your home cleaning checklist, remember that dust, pet hair, and debris can affect more than the surfaces you see every day. Then take the maintenance outdoors and learn how to care for an outdoor HVAC unit by clearing away leaves and grass clippings, trimming back plants, and knowing when to call in a professional.
Safeguard Your Home from Heat Damage
The hottest days of the year can take a toll on your foundation, roof, plumbing, exterior paint, and landscaping — especially when dry conditions drag on, as they often do. Before the next stretch of triple-digit days, learn how to prepare your home for a heat wave, from watering your foundation and checking vulnerable exterior surfaces to watching for signs of damage before small problems become expensive ones. A little prevention now can help your home weather the worst of the season.
Triple-digit heat doesn’t stop at the front door. It bakes the driveway, garage, and anything parked outside. Heat impacts our vehicles in many ways, from stressed batteries and overinflated tires to faded paint, cracked dashboards, and evaporating fluids. This guide will walk you through how to handle heat-related car troubles.
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