Is your home summer-ready? In the UK, it can feel like winter lasts forever. However, warmer weather is just around the corner, and with it comes a change in the demands for your home and utilities.
It’s out with maximising insulation and cosy vibes, and in with making the most of natural light, promoting air flow and protecting your property from sun damage. Here are some easy steps you can take over the coming months to get your home summer-ready.
Claim free water-saving gadgets
Saving water is important year-round, but in summer it’s especially vital as reservoir levels drop across the country. Cut water wastage at home by claiming free water-saving devices from Get Water Fit, and install them before we head into drought season.
Maximise natural light
We published this guide to maximising natural light in the wintertime, but many of the tips work for summer too! Making the most of the summer sunshine is an easy way to cut your energy bills, boost your Vitamin D absorption and lift your mood. Keep your curtains open during the day, trim back any plants shading your home and give your windows a quick clean to make sure every ray of light can get in.
Cut the clutter
Getting rid of clutter makes your home feel bigger, more open and easier to move around in. More light during longer summer days can also highlight the mess you’ve been meaning to get rid of. Take some time in the spring to clear our clutter, then enjoy the benefits all summer long.
Top tip! If you’re one of the many people who plan to move home during the summertime, decluttering your possessions is an essential first step.
Get your fridge summer-ready
Your fridge is already one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home, and the hotter the weather is, the harder it has to work. Fit a fridge door alarm to make sure you’re not leaving it open longer than necessary and letting hot air in. Your fridge also has to work harder if it’s emptier. If there’s empty space on your shelves or doors, then fill some old glass bottles with water to fill the gaps. Your fridge will use less electricity, and you’ll be able to grab a cool drink of water whenever you want – win-win!
Make your garden a summer oasis
If you have a garden, be sure to make the most of it during the warm summer months. Plant flowers to attract butterflies and brighten up the space, trim the grass to create a soft lawn to sunbathe on, or just install some solar-powered lights to take advantage of the free battery in the sky.
Stay cool when things heat up
Few homes in the UK have air conditioning – if you do, make sure to fully test your system and schedule any maintenance or repairs before the first heat wave hits. If you use fans to stay cool in the hot weather, now is the time to pull them out of storage and check they’re working. Better to get a replacement now than when the stores sell out in June!
If you haven’t used your fans since last year, take a few minutes to open them up and give the blades a thorough clean. If they’re dirty, then you’ll be circulating dust through the air this summer instead of a cool breeze.
Store your winter clothes
This is the UK, so it would be silly to suggest you pack all your warm clothing away just yet. However, once we reach May, you should be safe to pack away your thermals, winter coat and thickest jumpers. Use vacuum storage bags to pack clothes tightly and efficiently, then store them under your bed, in the bottom of a wardrobe or in the attic until the autumn.
