Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Home Maintenance Weatherproofing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plano Property Standards offers simple summer weatherproofing tips to cut cooling costs and prevent damage
Summary
Nikki from Property Standards outlined steps Plano residents can take before summer — sealing window and duct leaks, cleaning gutters, tuning HVAC and setting ceiling fans counterclockwise — to reduce energy use and limit roof, siding and mosquito problems.
Nikki, a Property Standards representative, told listeners on the Plano Property Checkup podcast that homeowners and renters should take a few simple maintenance steps before summer to keep homes cooler and avoid damage. She recommended sealing window and duct leaks, cleaning gutters, scheduling HVAC tune-ups and running ceiling fans counterclockwise.
"A lot of people don't think about little small cracks in their windows. However, those small cracks in the windows actually can lead to hot air getting in," Nikki said, urging residents to check windows and doors for gaps. "It's really good to make sure that you, use weather stripping or caulking to go around those small gaps and make sure you get those closed up."
Nikki said gutters are often overlooked before summer storms and can clog with leaves and debris, causing water to back up. She warned that backed-up water "can cause us to have some damages to your roof or your siding" and that standing water in gutters can enable mosquitoes to breed.
On HVAC, Nikki recommended a professional tune-up before hot weather. "So it is important before the summer to go ahead and have your HVAC tuned up and make sure that a new air filter is put in, which you can do on your own," she said, adding that proper maintenance helps systems run efficiently and can reduce the chance of a breakdown during extreme heat.
She also advised inspecting roofs and siding for cracks before summer to avoid larger repairs later, and checking ductwork for leaks that let cooled air escape and increase energy bills.
Explaining how to use fans efficiently, Nikki said, "definitely in the summer, you want your ceiling fans to go counterclockwise. So what that's gonna do if they're going counterclockwise, it's gonna push that cooler air down." She added that using fans properly can help regulate room temperature without lowering air-conditioning setpoints.
The segment targeted Plano residents and listeners across Texas and focused on routine, low-cost maintenance steps rather than structural renovations. The podcast did not provide contact information or links; Nikki encouraged residents to inspect these items before summer storms or extreme heat.
