Whether it’s your Dream Home, Get-a-way or Investment Property, if you own a home at the shore it’s another property that requires your attention.  The same environment that draws you to the beaches is hard a work trying to reclaim your little piece of paradise.  Here are some tips we’ve learned having lived here all of our lives.

General

The corrosive properties of salt air will eat away at almost any metal surface.  Doors, windows, lighting, outdoor cooking, furniture, cars, boats and of course heating and air conditioning equipment. To deal with it “An ounce of Prevention…” is the best advice.  

Wash anything outside off with a hose as often as you can.  This includes your air conditioner.  Look at it as anything that can sit in the rain should be hosed down to minimize salt build up.

A minimum annual lubrication of hinges, rollers and locks on doors & windows and outdoor furniture is a must.  Store anything that you can inside as long as you can.  If you are leaving bikes, furniture, grills etc at the home for the winter move them inside the home where it is drier as opposed to storing them in the shed or garage.  

Water

Most homes have a main valve to shut off the water to the home.  Find out where it is and make a habit of shutting it off when you’re leaving for an extended period (more than 2 days).  Most people think about leaks from frozen pipes but many leaks occur from lines feeding the refrigerator, washer and dish washer.  Shutting off the main limits damage to the contents of the pipes as opposed to the never ending supply from the water company.

If you don’t have an easily accessible water main, talk to a plumber about installing one.  It will be a few hundred dollars well spent.  You can also talk to us about simple water alarms that are available to put in or around an area where you don’t want water.  

Air Conditioners

Wash them off!  ESPECIALLY if they are in an alcove, under a deck, on a covered porch or any place rain can’t rinse them off.  This can add years to the life of the unit.

Professional annual maintenance is important to do a thorough cleaning of the coils and check the electrical components for the impacts sand and salt.  If the coils are turning white and flaking you’re losing capacity and it’s costing you substantially more to operate.  It’s also a sign that the end is near, or here.

Cover the outdoor unit during the winter but be aware that plastic will hold condensation and may actually make it worse.  Consider a canvas cover ($$) or one that is lined on the inside (less expensive).

When replacing the outdoor unit on the cooling system ask about Carrier Coastal units that have factory coatings designed for the salt atmosphere and make sure the equipment is sized correctly.  Too little capacity (or salt damaged) won’t cool in hot weather but a unit that is oversized for the space won’t run long enough to take the humidity out of the air.  This can lead to mildew, musty odors and mold growth.  We get more complaints because of the problems from a unit that is too big than from air conditioners that are too small.

Heating & Air Filters

It’s easy to forget about the heater in the attic or tucked in a closet (except when it’s noisy). Consider annual maintenance to ensure safe operation, avoid costly repairs and extended equipment life. At a minimum have it checked every 2 years.  Changing air filter 2s per year in a semi occupied property is usually adequate.  But it’s important!  Dirty filters lead to costly repairs and will shorten the equipment life.

Hot & Cold Spots

Multi-level homes frequently have multi-level problems.  Areas not originally intended for occupancy may not heat of cool well.  We have zoning, wireless thermostats, Mitsubishi ductless heating and cooling and Unico Mini Duct systems in our bag of trick.   Improving poor heating and cooling is a specialty.

Thermostats

Do you turn the heat off in the winter?  If not, you probably leave it set between 50-60.  We would suggest that you leave the thermostat set around 80-83 when you leave the house in the summer.  This will help keep the humidity levels lower and shorten the time it takes to cool the home when you or your guests arrive.   If the house has been closed up and the AC was turned off and somebody arrives late in the day when it’s hot outside, it can take 12 hours or more to cool the house to the thermostat setting in the 70’s.

Better yet, install a WiFi thermostat.  It will allow you to control temperature from your phone, tablet or computer.  Make it comfortable before you or your guests arrive. Turn it back if somebody forgot to do it when they left or check it when it’s unoccupied.   You can also get alerts if the heater goes off or the temperature goes above or below a level you want.   WiFi thermostats require internet service.

Thermostats are also available that can be programmed with max & min temperatures.  Don’t want your guests to turn the place into a meat locker?  Program the thermostat so it can’t go below 70.  

Did You Know?

Ocean breezes are part of what we enjoy about the Shore.  But sliders being left open is a great way to run up the electric bill and allow humidity into the home.  It may be extreme but sensors are available that will shut off the AC when a slider is open.

Bob McAllister and the staff at Comfort Now pride themselves on being experts with homes at the Jersey Shore. For 40 years Bob has been coming up with solutions to issues in Shore homes.  Serving Atlantic & Cape May Counties, we know the duplexes, the beach front castles and shore bungalows.  We know what it takes to maintain the equipment and fix the problems.  We are also well versed with the many replacement options when that becomes necessary.

We have more tips and ideas to help you enjoy your time here.  Give us a call and let us know how we can help.  Call Comfort Now by Bob McAllister at (609) 400-1005.  iWantComfortNow.com or email us info@iWantComfortNow.com.  Enjoy your stay, we’re glad you’re here!