There’s no escaping it: summers in New Jersey can be HOT. You don’t need to be reminded about the recent heat waves that swept through our area, and with current temperatures already in the 80’s an 90’s, it’s time to start thinking about your ultimate summer survival plan. Beat the heat in NJ by heat proofing your Mercer County home!
4 Ways to Beat the Heat in New Jersey this Summer
Contents
1) Insulation, Insulation, Insulation!
It works in the winter, and it works in the summer. Insulation is the key to guaranteeing a fairly consistent indoor temperature, regardless of the temperature status of the outside world, and even a little bit of insulation can go a long way. An article titled, “Types of Insulation” by the US Department of Energy suggests materials like:
- Fiberglass
- Natural Fibers
- Foam Boards
- Polystyrene
- Mineral Wool
- Sprayed Foam
Older homes may have attics and other hidden spaces inside the walls that are not properly insulated, and you can easily go to the nearest home improvement store to purchase and install the appropriate material yourself. However, if you do not know what kind of material to use, or you feel like you do not have the expertise to correctly place the material, you should call our home cooling experts for professional advice.
2) Check the Windows
Sometimes, it’s nice to let natural light into the house, but during peak afternoons in a New Jersey summer, you could be letting the heat into the house too. Beat the heat by installing thick curtains. Like insulation, thick curtains help keep cool air inside, and the summer heat outside. Try honeycomb blinds; the shape of these interlocking blinds effectively traps the heat that permeates through the window glass.
Windows can also be a source for air leaks. Every summer, check your window panels for leaks. You can easily fix the problem with caulk from the home improvement store.
3) Other Summer Home Improvements
Have you been considering major home improvements? If you’ve been planning to use the summer time to remodel the roof or add an extra room, consider designing and building with heat-resistant, naturally insulating materials. An article by Amy R. Hughes and Mark Powers on “This Old House Online” suggests using fireproof materials like brick, stone, concrete, and clay for home and roof remodeling. Conveniently, these same fireproof materials offer some of the best heat-resistance as well, helping keep your family cool (and safe) in the summer.
4) Air Conditioning Units
The best way to fight against a sweltering New Jersey summer is with the power of an efficient HVAC unit! Central conditioned air effectively delivers the ultimate in comfort throughout every room in the house. You can even save money on your monthly electricity bill by investing in an environmentally conscious AC unit that uses less than a traditional unit. If you already have a central AC unit, have it checked by one of our NATE certified technicians for yearly maintenance. Regular maintenance, repair, and air duct cleaning ensures that your unit is operating at full capacity with the least amount of energy.
Trust in PFO
Contact the home cooling experts at PFO for more information about beating the heat in NJ. Princeton Fuel is the area’s leader in providing inexpensive, reliable and safe generators, heating oil and HVAC solutions—giving your home and business ultimate comfort all year long.