Summer Safety & Savings

Clothes drying outside. Using a line dryer can help you save on utility bills.

Finally, summer has arrived here in the Twin Cities. If you’re anything like the Paul Davis team, you’re ready for grilling, outdoor adventures, and plenty of time by the lake.

But with this season comes a few special considerations to keep bills down and you and your loved ones safe. 

Summer Savings Tips 

The warmer the weather gets, the higher our summer utility bills climb. Thankfully, summer savings doesn’t necessarily require investing in solar panels or suffering until fall rolls around. Reduce your energy costs with a few minor adjustments.

Three Trusted Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills

Promote Air Flow

When you promote airflow in your home, you lower energy costs. Even an air conditioning unit may have trouble keeping your living space at a single temperature. 

  • Circulate the air in a room with your ceiling fans. A counter-clockwise spin will help push hot air in a room up and out of the way. 
  • If you don’t have a ceiling fan, purchase a box fan at your local hardware store.

Rethink Laundry 

Laundry uses quite a bit of energy, but these tips can help:

  • Using a cold wash instead of a warm one: Heating the water is what skyrockets your bill.
  • Use a drying rack or outdoor line if you have the time and patience. 
  • Avoid overstuffing your washer. Doing more loads may seem like more energy, but the opposite is true. 
  • Check to see if your power company offers reduced rates during non-peak hours. Early morning or late night laundry could lower your bill.

Properly Load the Dishwasher 

Where you place your dishes does matter. While the bottom rack works better for dishes, pots, and pans, the top should hold glasses and bowls.

  •  Ensure your bowls are slanted in the racks so that the water drains. 
  • Never place large flat items parallel to the dishwasher door, like cookie pans or cutting boards. They can keep detergent from properly cleaning your dishes, forcing you to run another cycle. 
  • Skip the discount detergents that will leave your dishes filmy and probably won’t eliminate stubborn food or grease. Splurge on the good stuff.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

If you have an air conditioner, it’s probably been hard at work already! While we appreciate being kept cool and comfortable, we can get ‘hot under the collar’ if our air conditioner stops working. What’s worse, it can sometimes be days or even weeks before a maintenance specialist can get to us to fix or replace it. 

These air conditioner maintenance tips can keep this machine running all summer long and help you save money on your next bill!

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

If the air filter is covered with dust, dirt, and grime, your air conditioner can’t do its job and could even sustain internal damage. Change your air conditioner filter every three to four months. If you live in a heavy construction zone or suffer seasonal allergies, consider changing it more often.

Purchase Pleated Filters

Fiberglass filters – found at most home stores – are cheaper, but they’re rarely better. Spend the extra dollars on pleated, synthetic filters that do a better job of keeping your air clean and last longer than fiberglass filters.

Measure Temperatures at Various Vents

To ensure your air conditioner is working correctly, check the temperature at several vents. Compare the temperatures of the air blowing out of your vent versus the air going into the return vent. If there is not a difference of 15-18 degrees, you could have a clogged air filter, or your unit could need a recharge. Either way, a little routine air conditioner maintenance is in order.

Keep Your Thermostat Set at a Normal Temperature

 Many people think that when they set their air conditioner at an obscenely low number, their home will cool down faster. The truth is that setting the number low won’t cool your house off faster–it just keeps your air conditioning unit running longer.

Clean Outside Units Bi-annually

When your air conditioner is outside, dirt, dust, and debris build up on your unit, blocking airflow and preventing your air conditioner from running correctly. Worse, a dirty unit is more likely to need an earlier replacement. Before you clean your unit, turn off its electricity. Use a wet cloth or garden hose to eliminate dirt and debris. 

Finally, schedule an annual air conditioning maintenance to ensure everything is working correctly.

Summer Safety Tips

Watching fireworks is one of the best parts of summer celebrations, but thousands of people are injured annually due to fireworks burns. 

Firework Safety

At Paul Davis, we recommend leaving the fireworks to the experts. However, if you choose to set them off yourself, check out the following before grabbing the lighter:

  • Ask your police department to make sure fireworks are legal in your community.
  • Never let children play with fireworks.
  • Keep your pets inside and away from fireworks.
  • Place a bucket of water or hose near you.
  • Avoid fireworks on windy days when sparks carry a longer distance.
  • Use open areas to set off fireworks and point them away from homes, other structures, trees, and flammable material.
  • Take a First-Aid Kit with you.
  • Pick up a few bottles of water for hydration and to clean and cool a burn.

Did you know? Sparklers can reach 1800 degrees and are the number one cause of injuries associated with fireworks.

Burn Care

If you or a loved one does suffer a burn:

  • Cool the burned area with water for a minute or two.
  • Cover the burn with a clean, sterile dressing. Never use sticky bandages that adhere to the skin, making the burn worse.
  • If the burn is larger than a quarter, seek medical attention immediately. 

Other Summer Safety Tips

Grilling hotdogs.

Grilling Safety 

Summertime burgers and brats can be delicious, but make sure to follow these safety guidelines when you’re grilling: 

  • Place the grill away from the side of the house and away from kids and pets.
  • Check the gas hose to ensure no breaks.
  • Clean all grease buildup from the grill.
  • Keep a non-expired fire extinguisher close.
  • If the coals are already ignited, do not add charcoal starter fluid.
  • Follow the instruction manual guidelines. 

Fire Pit Safety

If you love lounging around a fire during the cooler evenings, keep your fire pit away from your living space. Before heading inside, throw sand on the fire to extinguish it entirely and make sure coals are completely cooled before you dispose of them. 

What About Your Garden Hose?

Ah yes, the garden hose. While hoses add to summer fun, we want to watch out for a couple of things: 

  • Don’t drink from your garden hose — many water hoses contain harmful substances.
  • Before using, let the water run for a few seconds to flush out any sitting H2O.
  • If you need a new hose, invest in a rubber one that avoids harmful plastic.

Your Restoration Experts Have Your Back 

We hope these summer savings and safety tips come in handy. And we wish you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful summertime, full of cookouts, sunshine, and even a dip in the lake. If you experience any property damage caused by water, fire, mold, or storms, the Paul Davis Restoration of Greater MSP team is available round the clock for your restoration, reconstruction, and remodeling needs.

Simply contact us any time or fill out this form to get help. We’re here to restore your home or business to normal as quickly as possible.