Calling Phoenix home for so many years has helped me learn some tricks to keeping cool. As it relates to our homes, staying cool for the summer is easy, just think cool colors, like green and blue:
Think Green:
- Turn down the Water Heater: If you’re trying to stay cool, you probably don’t need a scalding hot shower. Water heaters account for up to 18% of a home’s energy usage. Turning yours down to a recommended 120ᵒF will help offset increased energy usage with the air conditioning running.
- Get a Smart Thermostat: Save money and energy by using a smart thermostat. Nest claims that its “learning” thermostat saves an average $131 to $145 per household per year by helping families save 10% to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling. These devices save because not only are they programmable to your schedule, but they also learn and adapt to patterns in your energy usage.
- Turn off Appliances: The Department of Energy has estimated that appliances plugged in but not in use waste between 5% and 8% of a single family home’s annual energy usage. Saving energy seems to be a theme, but the focus here is on staying cool. Many of your energy-hogging appliances give off heat while turned on or even just plugged in.
- Heat Control Window Film: There are many options on the market for heat control window films that block UV light and help reduce heat transfer through your windows. These films have the added benefit of helping preserve carpets, draperies, and wood flooring that can fade with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Think Blue (as in water):
- Hydrate: According to a National Geographic article, “a normal, healthy person who is not used to the heat can, in heat wave conditions, sweat as much as 1.5 quarts of liquid in an hour.” The only reason we can survive high temperatures is because we perspire, and the only way not to become dehydrated, suffer heat stroke, or worse, is to drink enough water to replace what we lose in perspiration.
- Get the Pool Ready: Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer for most of us. It’s also the weekend your community pool is opening up for use. Get ready for pool season with these tips:
- Check Equipment: Make sure all of the pool equipment is in good working order. Call a maintenance tech to inspect and repair any broken equipment.
- Check the Pool Area: If the area has been neglected during the winter, it might be time to pressure-wash the pool decking, spruce up the landscaping, and clean or replace pool furniture. Also, make sure safety signage is in good shape and posted where everyone can see.
- Remind Members of Rules: Send out an eBlast to the community with a friendly message to kick off pool season and include rules and regulations for community members to review. Pool safety is critically important for everyone’s enjoyment.
- Set up a System for Pool Passes: Here’s where the shameless eUnify plug comes in… we have functionality built into the uManage product for homeowner requests to be converted into pool passes that managers can either approve or deny. Approved passes can be printed out and/or emailed, complete with a QR code for pool staff to scan to grant access to the pool area.
- Shop for Cool Pool Floats: Here are some ideas: POOL FLOATS
- Check Equipment: Make sure all of the pool equipment is in good working order. Call a maintenance tech to inspect and repair any broken equipment.
Tags: community link summer pool pass