Lazy Days Of Summer | Arocon Roofing And Construction

It’s the great smell of neighbors grilling, it’s the sound of kids laughing, and it’s the long warm days letting you sit back, relax, and enjoy the lazy days of summer.

That’s right, summer has arrived, and as the temperatures rise, so do your energy bills. Arocon Roofing and Construction is here with some simple tips that will help you save money this summer so you can focus on your tan instead of your wallet.

The most important step you can take to save money this summer is to make your home more energy efficient. The best part is that saving energy doesn’t have to mean going completely green. Some easy maintenance measures from Arocon Roofing and Construction can save you major bucks this summer.

Let’s Start from the Top—Your Roof

Most people only think of their roof as cover—protection from the wind, rain, and snow. You might be surprised to learn that, according to the the U.S. Department of Energy, air leaks in the exterior of your house (like your roof) can be extremely costly. During the hottest parts of the summer, your roof gets an intense beating from the sun, so you want to make sure that it’s in tip top shape.

If you’re up for an adventure, climb a ladder and take a look at your roof for potential problems. Some common roofing issues to look out for include:

Loose Shingles
Chimney Damage
Visible Nails

Or if heights aren’t your thing, get a professional inspection from a certified roof technician. Not every roof needs to be replaced. Most just need a roof tune-up. A simple roof tune-up now can save you hundreds this summer.

Gutters Are Your Friends Too

When inspecting your roof, don’t forget about the gutters. They help keep water away and protect your home’s foundation, siding, windows, and doors. Gutters also ensure that your roof is functioning efficiently.

Clean your gutters of debris frequently so that they do what they are supposed to; keep the water away from your home. And if you want to put that rain water to use, install rain barrels to your gutters. Rain barrels capture the rain so that you can use it for watering your lawn or garden.

As water bills continue to increase, you will be sitting pretty knowing you are using free water to spruce up your lawn. There is no better cost savings than free!

Schedule a tune-up; let the professionals tune-up your gutter and win with lower water bills when you add a rain barrel (or two).

The Always Forgotten Attic

To go along with your roof inspection, you’ll want to ensure the attic is assessed as well.

Many attics, especially those in older homes, have very poor insulation—another culprit letting the cool air leak out of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding insulation to even a new home can pay for itself within a few years.

If you aren’t ready to go all in with the insulation, inspect the attic yourself. Once you’ve managed to make your way through the treasures of Christmas past, be sure to check your attic for water damage, stuctural cracks, and mold, which can all be early warning signs of a bigger problem.

A little maintenance and attention now can mean big savings in the future. So venture into the uknown. Explore what lies in the depths of your long-forgotten attic. It could cost you if you don’t!

Windows—The Light of the Home

Aside from the roof and attic, windows are another important and potentialy problematic area in your home. They add to the aesthetic of a home’s interior yet can also be extremely costly when it comes to loss of energy dollars. According to Arocon, “more than 20 percent of the heating and cooling losses in the average home can be blamed on windows.” Imagine all of the windows in your home letting cool air escape, like money flowing out of your pocket, while your air conditioner works harder to compensate.

Many windows don’t need to be completely re-installed but just maintained. Getting window maintenance will extend the life of your windows at a lower cost to you.

In the meantime, check your windows for water damage and cracks along the frame. Run your hands along the frame, making sure you can’t feel any air coming through. Next, try to jiggle the rail along the lower part of your window. Rattling or movement may mean that there are major air leaks in the window.

To help keep your home cooler this summer add window treatments or heavy duty shades and keep the shades closed when no one is home.

The Key to Great Curb Appeal-Your Siding

We all want our house to have curb appeal, especially during the summer months as we spend most of our time enjoying time outside with friends and family. Another external feature of our home that can take away from curb appeal and energy efficiency is siding.

Siding makes up the majority of the outside of your home and therefore takes a lot of damage from the weather.

Check your siding for warping, mold, algae, and loose tiles. Siding that has already warped will buckle further in high temperatures so catch the problems early to prevent further damage.

Get a professional inspection and siding tune-up to make your house sparkle all summer long.

Make Energy Saving a Habit

Although maintaining the exterior of your home is important for energy efficiency, there are a few other steps that you and your family can take this summer and all year long to maximize savings:

Use energy efficient bulbs
Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Manage your thermostat closely, and let the house stay warmer while no one is home
Consolidate your loads of laundry and dish washer runs into fewer cycles
Water your lawn sparingly

Got more ideas for energy savings this summer? Drop us a line with your creative ideas for saving energy! And remember, while you bask in the glory of all of your cost savings during these lazy days of summer, always wear sunscreen and bug spray when doing any work outside!