How To Get The Windows In Your Home Ready For Summer

Summer is right around the corner: Do you know how you’re going to keep your home cool without racking up high energy bills? Even if you’re committed to keeping your air conditioning use regulated and using fans around the house, it can be difficult to get through summer without paying a ton of money on cooling costs. Keeping your home breezy and cool doesn’t have to mean blasting the AC at all times of the day, but it does take a bit of extra work when it comes to prepping and priming your home windows, especially if they’re older models. Even if you choose windows from Renewal NC that are energy efficient and high tech, you’ll still need to do a bit of work around the house to make sure your home is summer-ready. If you’re trying to find a few ways to get your house primed for those summer hot spells this spring, here’s where to start.

Wash Your Windows

Believe it or not, the first step to a temperature-controlled home is cleaning your windows. If you’re installed storm windows during the winter and are ready to install lighter alternatives like screen windows, you can potentially save this step for later. However, if you’re sticking with the same windows through the year, it’s imperative that you take the time to thoroughly wash them down and strip them of all the buildup they’ve acquired during the winter months. This isn’t just important in terms of keeping your windows healthy and undamaged. Letting windows go uncleaned for too long can actually impair their function, turning your brand new energy efficient windows into dust and dirt traps that can only circulate dirty air and trap condensation. To avoid this, wash your windows clean with a squeegee or a microfiber cloth, making sure to get rid of any dirt collecting around the edges. Don’t forget to wash your window frames as well. This area can get especially filthy during the winter. Cleaning your windows can also be a great way to do check for any damage and schedule upcoming repairs. During an especially long winter, your windows could have experienced damage without your even knowing it. That’s why doing a wash in the spring is best: You’ll have plenty of time to get in the repairs you need before the summer hits.

Install Awnings

Even if your windows are built with a low-E coating to filter out the sun’s UV rays and protect your home from heating up too quickly, you’ll still need a bit of outside help if you want to spend the summer in comfort. Install awnings outside each window will help protect them from damage and will create natural shade at the same time. Awnings work to protect your home from the sun’s direct glare while creating a cooler internal temperature. You’ll still be getting the benefit of the sun’s natural light, you’ll just be making sure your home doesn’t get overheating in the process, making it easy for you to control and maintain the internal temperature in each room. This is especially key for windows on higher floors of your home which tend to get overheated more quickly and take a lot more effort to cool down. Leaving your windows open can be a good way to air out stuffier rooms in less muggy weather, just make sure you have screens attached to help filter out bugs and pollutants.

Keep Rooms Dark During the Day

When you can, close the blinds or pull the drapes during the day to keep a cool internal temperature and avoid coming home to a hot, stuffy bedroom. If you know certain rooms aren’t going to be in use, it’s always smart to cut them off from the sun entirely so they can stay as cool as possible while you’re away. Blinds can help block out the sun, but they don’t tend to be great at absorbing the heat coming through. Using energy-efficient drapes, however, can be a great way to block and absorb the heat at once, especially if your drapes are a dark color.

Use the Right Coating

In addition to making sure your window has a low-E coating to protect your home from fading and damage, you might want to invest in something more heavy-duty to really block out the sun on hot days. If you want some relief from the sun’s heat without sacrificing natural light, you can install protective shading or coating that easily applies to your window for a quickly added layer of protection. You can get sun-repellant film or glass and install it yourself, or you can opt for protective blinds to use during the summer months.