The long and the short of preparing your home for an Arizona summer is protection from the sun and heat. Naturally there are many small things that can be done for a house. A homeowner can check for air leaks in windows and doors. A homeowner can also check the insulation in the attic. Attic insulation tends to flatten out and needs to have more added after some time. A homeowner can also look into light blocking shades for the windows or perhaps add tinting to the window.

For a more intense preparation (especially for an older house) the homeowner might do some renovations. Replacing the windows with newer models can add heat and sun resistance. Replacing doors can do the same. A thorough remodel might replace all the insulation in the wall, though this is an intensive renovation.

The most important preparation above all the others is to check the air conditioner. The heat outside can get up to 40 or even 50 degrees. Risk of heat stroke is very real in Arizona. It is very important to check to make sure the air conditioner is working as intended. Often people will forget this and wait till Arizona gets very hot before turning on the A/C for the summer. When the A/C doesn’t work it becomes an emergency call to a technician. These technicians become very busy in the summer which leaves homeowners waiting weeks possibly.

What do you think? Do you have any other ideas for preparing a home?