How to Prepare Your Home for Extreme Summer Heat

Severely high temperatures are a growing problem, making extreme heat preparedness more important than ever. Heatwaves can cause damage to homes and lead to dangerous indoor air temperatures. In fact, poorly insulated homes can push the indoor air temperature to 10 to 15 degrees higher than the outside temperature.

Read on to discover how extreme heat affects homeowners and review some effective homeowners’ association (HOA) heat preparedness guidelines.

What Is the Meaning of Extreme Heat?

Extreme heat refers to temperatures significantly above the average high for a given region. These temperatures can pose serious risks to human health, property, and infrastructure.

The definition varies by location. For example, what qualifies as extreme heat in Seattle may be a normal summer day in Phoenix. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one definition of extremely hot days is when temperatures reach 95°F or higher.

Extreme Heat Watch Vs Extreme Heat Warning

The National Weather Service may issue an extreme heat watch or extreme heat warning to notify the public of heat-related weather events. You might receive a notification through your smartphone’s emergency alert system, your local news station, or a weather app. Here’s what they mean:

• Extreme Heat Watch. This notification is issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event within the next 24 to 72 hours.

• Extreme Heat Warning. A warning is issued when dangerously hot conditions are imminent or already occurring.

How Extreme Heat Damages a Home

Heat can cause significant structural and mechanical damage to your home. Here are some of the key parts of a home that can sustain damage:

Roof

Roofing materials, especially asphalt shingles, expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. Prolonged extreme heat can cause shingles to crack, curl, or blister, shortening their lifespan.

Foundation

In regions with clay-heavy soil, extended heat and drought can cause the soil to shrink and pull away from the foundation. This can create voids beneath a slab or around a foundation wall, leading to shifting, settling, and cracking.

Wood and Structural Elements

Wood naturally expands and contracts with heat and moisture changes. Extreme heat, especially in poorly ventilated attics, can dry out structural lumber, causing it to warp and split.

HVAC Systems

Air conditioning units work overtime during heat waves, which accelerates wear on compressors, fans, and refrigerant lines. Extreme heat reduces HVAC system efficiency and can trigger overheating or full system failure.

Exterior Paint and Siding

Heat causes paint to bubble, peel, and fade more quickly, especially on walls that receive the most direct sun. Vinyl siding can warp or melt in extreme conditions.

Plumbing

Pipes in attics or exterior walls that are exposed to extreme temperatures can expand, or in the case of PVC pipes, soften and deform.

RELATED: “Capital Improvements: What Your HOA Needs to Know”

9 Extreme Heat Preparedness Tips for Homeowners in an HOA

As an HOA homeowner, you must approach your preparedness measures with a little guidance from the community. Here are tips on how to prepare your HOA home for extreme heat.  

1.     Check your governing documents.

Always remember to check your community’s governing documents and architectural controls before making any modifications to your home. Some upgrades, like a new cooling system, may require board approval.

2.     Inspect and maintain your HVAC system.

Prep your system for optimal performance with the help of a professional. Ensure the technician checks refrigerant levels, cleans coils, and replaces filters.

3.     Improve attic ventilation.

Check that your soffit vents and ridge vents are unobstructed. If the attic stays too hot, consider installing radiant barrier foil on the underside of the roof deck to allow cooling.

4.     Use window treatments.

Around 76% of the sunlight that hits standard windows is absorbed as heat. Keep blinds and curtains closed to keep heat out and cool air in. If HOA guidelines allow, consider heat-blocking window films for added protection.

5.     Seal air leaks and weatherstrip doors.

Cool air escapes through gaps around doors and windows, making your AC work harder and cost more. Use caulk to seal window gaps and weatherstripping to seal doors.

6.     Protect your landscape.

Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of a home provide shade in summer and let sunlight in during winter as their leaves drop. Review your HOA’s landscaping rules and apply mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and reduce soil temperature.

7.     Check your roof.

Look for cracked, curling, or missing shingles and have them repaired. If your roof is aging, consider a cool roof coating or lighter-colored shingles as a replacement.

8.     Prepare your plumbing and water systems.

Insulate pipes in the attic or unconditioned spaces to protect them from the heat. If you have a sprinkler system, program it to run early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

9.     Create shade for your outdoor AC unit.

Follow architectural controls and consider planting shrubs or installing a pergola to shade the unit and improve efficiency. Make sure to keep space around it to avoid blocking airflow.

LEARN MORE: “HOA Rules Guidebook: Everything Residents Need to Know”

How to Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

As important as summer maintenance tips for protecting your home are, protecting your health is even more crucial. Follow these guidelines to stay safe:

• Stay indoors during peak heat hours: UV radiation is typically highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, and clammy skin, nausea, and fainting. A temperature above 103°F indicates heat stroke, along with hot, red, and dry skin, rapid pulse, and possible unconsciousness. Call 911 immediately if you suspect heat stroke.

• Use smart cooling strategies: Cool showers or baths, damp cloths on the neck and wrists, and electric fans can all help you keep cool.

How to Prepare Your Community for a Wildfire

Extreme heat and wildfire risk often go hand in hand. As heat dries out vegetation, fire risk increases. Along with community heat safety standards, it’s important to have a wildfire preparedness plan ready.

For comprehensive instructions on how to protect your community, check out Associa’s guide, How to Prepare Your Community for a Wildfire.

FAQs

How Do I Keep My House Cool In 100 Degrees Heat?

Keep blinds and curtains closed on sun-facing windows during the day, especially in the afternoon. Run your AC strategically by setting it to pre-cool your home in the morning before peak heat arrives, rather than playing catch-up during the hottest part of the day.

What Absorbs Heat in a Room?

Dark-colored materials absorb more heat than light-colored ones. Dark furniture, flooring, and walls can make a room warmer. Dense materials like concrete, brick, tile, and stone absorb and store heat. Use light-colored rugs and keep dark materials out of sunlight to lessen heat absorption.

How Long Does a Heatwave Last?

Technically, a heat wave lasts at least two days. Brief heat waves might last a few days, while longer ones can last two or more weeks.

What City Stays 70 Degrees Year-Round?

No city stays perfectly at 70 degrees year-round. However, San Diego, California, maintains the closest year-round temperatures to 70 degrees, with average highs between the mid-60s and low 70s. Honolulu, Hawaii, also maintains similar temperatures.