We hope everyone has a safe 4th of July celebration!
**OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED JULY 3RD IN OBSERVANCE OF JULY 4TH. **
Summer has kicked into gear and the temperatures are rising. We are aware that your AC units struggle to keep up with the extreme temperatures. Here are some air conditioning tips during these hot Texas months:
1. Be reasonable in your expectations: In this region, the summer design temperature for cooling equipment is about 95°. That means when it hits that temperature outside, your AC unit will run full tilt to keep your house cool. Higher outside temps may cause your house to be a little bit warmer than what you’d really prefer. Most AC units can only offer a 20-degree difference from outside to inside.
2. Do NOT crank the thermostat down: Leave it set where you normally have it. Moving the dial from 76° to 72° will not change the temperature of the air coming out of the registers; it just makes the unit run longer to reach the desired temperature. If your unit is already running full time to keep the house at 76°, moving the dial down will not make the house any cooler.
3. Is the filter clean: If you can easily access it from the lower level and within reach from the ground, take a look and change it or clean it if you even THINK it’s dirty. A dirty filter will slow airflow and make your AC unit work harder than it needs to. If you have pets, please keep the pet hair cleaned up so it doesn’t get circulated into your air ducts and filter. That costs you extra money and you won’t be as cool.
4. Close your curtains, shades, or blinds: Keeping the sunshine out will help keep the rooms as cool as possible. If you don’t like feeling like you are in a cave, then just close them on the east side in the morning and the west side in the afternoon. If you have south-facing windows, you may want to keep them closed all day to keep the heat down in those rooms.
5. Do not block supply registers OR returns: The key to comfort is to keep the air flowing. Move furniture around so that you are not blocking any supply or return registers.
6. Use ceiling fans and/or box fans: Even warmer air feels cooler if it’s moving.
7. Avoid using your dryer and oven in the hottest hours of the day.
8. Check the outdoor unit: Be sure it’s free of grass clippings, leaves, pet hair, and other things. If the fins are plugged up, you can carefully wash them with your garden hose. Having the fins clear allows the air to flow better and the unit to dissipate the heat it is pulling from your house.
And probably the best advice is the hardest: be patient. Getting upset just makes you warmer! So put on cool, light-colored clothes, drink lots of water and take it easy. And if you have outdoor pets, remember to provide them with lots of water and shade in these “dog days” of summer!
Tips & Reminders
- Maintenance requests MUST be in writing so please use your tenant portal. Photos can also be uploaded to support your maintenance requests.
- Report any leaks so minor problems don’t turn into major ones.
- Per your Lease Agreement, all tenants need their own separate Renter’s Insurance Policy or on a combined policy naming all tenants as insureds. 3G Properties Group should be named on your policy as an “additional interest” so your insurance company will automatically send us your proof of insurance and any changes or updates. If all tenants are not named on the insurance policy or we do not have a copy of your policy on file, there is a mandatory $12.50 landlord’s liability insurance policy charged to your rental property each month to be included in your rent payment. Tenant’s personal property is not protected unless Tenant has their own RENTERS INSURANCE.
- DUE TO LIABILITY, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY TENANT OR OCCUPANT ACCESS THE ATTIC OF THE PROPERTY FOR STORAGE OR ANY OTHER PURPOSE. You are not allowed to change your AC filters if they are located in the attic space or above 6 feet from the ground.
- Tenant must kennel or crate pets whenever landlord or landlord’s representative will be on property for a scheduled appointment.
- If you have an addition to your family, i.e. new baby, please let us know so we can add them as occupants to your lease. We will need their name and date of birth. Any occupants 18 or older are required to complete a rental application for approval.
3G Properties Group wants to be your full-service Realtor ® . We assist clients with purchasing and selling their homes in addition to our Property Management services. We can put you in touch with one of our preferred lenders when you’re ready to step into home ownership.
