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Use These Resources for Better Weatherproofing

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Weatherproofing is an important part of protecting your home from the elements and preparing it to withstand whatever conditions may be ahead – be it inclement weather or just an extremely hot summer. Cracks and gaps around your doors and windows can allow warm or cool air to escape. This not only makes it harder for you to get comfortable, but it can also waste energy, which drives your monthly utility bills through the roof.

The key to ensuring that your home is efficient and comfortable is adequate weatherproofing. San Francisco homeowners can use the resources below to improve their weatherproofing and, ultimately, their home comfort.

Top Weatherproofing Resources

Not sure where you should start your weatherproofing project? Use the resources below to get the information and tools you need to weatherproof your home successfully:

Tips from The Home Depot

Not only is The Home Depot your go-to place for buying home improvement supplies, but they also provide a wealth of information and how-to tutorials on different home improvement projects, including weatherproofing. In Weatherproofing Your Windows, the site guides you through the weatherproofing process with a step-by-step guide as well as a list of tools that you will need. For information on weatherproofing different kinds of windows, check out this guide which offers you tips for weatherproofing depending on what type of windows you have.

If you want to weatherproof your entry door, they’ve got a guide for that too, complete with a list of tools that you will need to get the job done. Once you’ve looked through the guide, all you need to do is head to the store to pick up the supplies you need. If you still have questions or need advice on weatherproofing, you can ask the store associates as many are familiar with the weatherproofing details and can help you find everything you need.

Lowe’s Weather Stripping Tips

If you’re more of a Lowe’s fan, you’re in luck! This home improvement store also provides helpful guides for weatherproofing your San Francisco home. Use Weather Strip Your Doors to learn all you need to know about how to seal your doors properly. This guide includes a list of materials as well as a simple guide with 5 steps to weather stripping your doors.

Your doors are not the only place where cool or warm air can escape. Lowe’s has also created a short and simple guide to Weather Stripping Your Windows. This guide discusses the importance of weatherizing your home, and gives a list of tools that you will need to tackle your window weather stripping for double-hung windows and casement windows. With instructions laid out in a few easy steps, you’ll be on your way to adequate weatherproofing in no time!

Does your HVAC system need a spring cleaning? Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help with all of your San Francisco air conditioning and heating needs. Call us today to schedule an HVAC repair or maintenance visit: (415) 522-0966.

Beautify Your Outdoor Space: How to Conceal Your Outdoor AC Unit

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Your HVAC system is an amazing invention. It keeps you cool in summer and warm when the weather starts to cool down. Though your HVAC system is crucial to maintaining home comfort for you and your family, it is not exactly the most attractive piece of machinery. To improve the look of your home’s exterior, try concealing your outdoor HVAC unit. With the DIY tips we have listed below, you can easily camouflage the AC unit without impairing the functionality.

How to Conceal Your Outdoor AC Unit

Concealing your outdoor AC unit doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Here are our favorite DIY tips for hiding your outdoor HVAC unit:

1. Fence it.

Create an adorable picket fence or lattice to surround your air conditioning unit. Add a statement piece, such as a wooden heart, in the middle of the fence or hang other decorative outdoor decorations from the outer side of the fence so that it becomes a part of your living space.

2. Make Something Grow.

If you have a green thumb, then you would be thrilled with a vertical garden. Essentially, you cover the surrounding area of your air conditioning unit with wooden pallets which can feasibly grow your flowers or greenery inside the crevices. This is a great way to create a tiered planting space for herbs, small florals, or succulents.

3. Hedge it.
Plant hedges or other plants around the air conditioning unit to help keep it concealed. If real plants are not your thing, consider an artificial outdoor boxwood hedge. This option is quite simple, but still gets the job done. When planting hedges or hiding the unit behind potted plants, make sure that all of the shrubbery is at least one foot away from the unit to avoid debris clogging the unit.

4. Create an edifice.
Make a faux brick wall or other barricade between your AC unit and the rest of your backyard. You can make this wall out of a variety of materials, including two-by-fours, pallets, or other types of wood. Again, make sure that there is room for the unit to breathe and be maintained.

Remember: In any case, you need to make sure NOT to attach anything directly to your outdoor condenser unit or block it in so that it cannot be accessed by an HVAC technician. In the event that your air conditioning breaks down or requires inspection, this area will need to be cleared. Make sure your beautification can be moved!

Regardless of how you want to beautify or conceal your air conditioner, there are plenty of options out there to look into. It never hurts to use your creative knowledge, either. You can start something trendsetting! For all of your other HVAC needs, contact us now.