How To Handle A Southeast Texas Heatwave
Heat waves are extended period of extreme heat. If you happen to live in Texas, than you are more than familiar with these long weeks of sweltering conditions and excess humidity. Learning how to weather these long days and exceedingly long nights without suffering heat stroke, heat exhaustion, however, takes time. Following is everything you need to know about how to handle a southeast Texas heatwave.
The first and most obvious step in these efforts is finding a way to effectively cool down your home. The most efficient method is by having an air conditioner installed. Most homes in this region already have units installed given the likelihood of excessive seasonal heat.
If you don't have an air conditioner, now is the perfect time to consider getting one. Moreover, if your unit is old and outdated, it is a good idea to have it replaced. It is incredibly unsafe to have the essential home appliances break down during heat waves, especially if there are elderly adults, babies or people with compromised immune systems in the residence.
While fans have a certain amount of value during times like these, it is important to note that they are not actually designed to cool the property interior down. Instead, they simply move the indoor air around. Even strategically placing them by windows and doors will only invite more hot air in and the actually temperature of your abode will not be decreased. Thus, these are not the best form of cooling equipment to have on hand during a time of extreme weather.
Swamp coolers are other low-cost options that people attempt to use during these periods of intense heat. While they might look a bit like window air conditioners, they are not the same. AC units and systems both cool the air down and extract excess moisture. In this way, they control both temperatures and humidity. Conversely, swamp coolers actually use outside humidity to cool the indoor air down. As such, they actually bring more moisture into the home, thereby making the living space feel damp, muggy and only slightly cooler.
You may be reticent to invest in a central air conditioning system simply because you do not have existing duct work in place. The good new is that you do not have to pay the high costs of having duct work added to your abode. You can instead install a multi-split air conditioning unit.
A mini-split system will put a control box and vent in each room that is connected to a central condenser outside. In addition to limiting the high costs of having air ducts installed, units like these will also give you the power to selectively cool zones throughout the property. This means that you don't have to use energy to cool down spaces that no one is actually using.
There are a number of other ways to keep your property cool during a heat wave. For instance, you might want to try hosing down your roof or the exterior walls of the home during the hottest time of the day. There is even the option of having a reflective roof coating installed so that the heat from the some is not absorbed and does not have the chance to warm the building structure up.
Recognize Impressive Savings From A New Air Conditioner
As a homeowner, it is important to regularly invest in property improvements that keep your investment on par with other, comparable homes in your area. These changes will enhance the livability and value of your abode. They will also make it far easier to attract qualified buyers when you need them. More importantly, it is possible for homeowners to gain considerable savings from a new air conditioner.
When air conditioners start to break down, they often need repairs on a near constant basis. This is all the more true during the warmer months when people are regularly using. Take some time to review your most recent repair bills and then consider the fact that these costs are only likely to increase with time. Once you get all new equipment put in, however, these are expenses that are likely to cease entirely.
Not only do you have to pay for the labor of having your existing system restored back to a usable condition each time it breaks down, but you will also have to pay for the necessary components. These costs can become particularly high as your unit grows older. In fact, you may even discover that these become increasingly difficult to find, even when working with AC repair professionals who always use the top supply companies.
In addition to limiting your repair costs, you will also find that a new system naturally operates more efficiently. This translates as less energy use and lower energy bills. Each month, you will be able to keep more money in your pocket, which is how this improvement will allow you to quickly break even. The latest units are designed to use far less energy than their predecessors.
Beyond having a more innovative and cutting edge design, this unit will have less interior debris and other problems that diminish or impede its intended operations. With fewer trapped particulates, you will also have far cleaner air. As a result, existing respiratory conditions will be less likely to become exacerbated and health care spending can actually go down.
It is important to consider the incredible rate at which technology is currently advancing. Certain forms of home cooling equipment have already become obsolete. As a result, if you aren't taking advantage of the latest offerings, than you are definitely missing out on the cost-saving advantages that the latest, top-tier designs abundantly provide.
Another vital consideration is the money that you will no longer have to spend to put your household in a secondary and cooler environment, when your existing air conditioner is simply not doing enough. For instance, you may have to take your family to the movies, the pool or the mall to cool down on super hot days. If a major repair is required for an outdated unit, it could even prove necessary to spend time in a hotel.
When this equipment and the related malfunctions, repairs and secondary expenses are covered by a comprehensive home insurance plan, this upgrade can even limit your future insurance premiums given that you will have far fewer claims to file. This is also a great upgrade for building sweat equity. Your home will become a lot easier to sell and you will additionally have the ability to set and claim a far higher asking price.