Let’s talk about ways to reduce your electricity bill during the blazing Texas summers.
While there are many great things about living in The Lone Star state, the summer heat is no joke.
And with record-breaking temperatures in recent years, it’s tough to find a balance between keeping cool and keeping your electricity bill manageable.
Today, we’re sharing some top strategies for saving energy during the summer heat. From small daily habits to meaningful home upgrades, here are a few ideas for you to try.
Don’t turn on the stove.
These first two ideas may seem inconsequential, but it’s a game of inches each day that add up to monthly savings.
Burners and ovens kick out a ton of heat, which puts your overworked AC into overdrive and makes for a sweaty experience cooking dinner. Instead, opt for salads and sandwiches, or fire up the grill outside.
Get creative: Try grilling pizza or fresh fruit kebabs. Air fryers and Instapots offer a cooler option too. For a real treat that’ll help you keep cool, we recommend a DIY sundae bar.
Wash with cold water and hang-dry your laundry outside
Heating up water accounts for nearly 90% of your washing machine’s electricity use. Choosing to wash in cold water instead can make a dramatic difference in your energy bill. And while clothes dryers are a modern miracle of convenience, they run hot and are actually harder on clothing than using clothesline.
If you have the space for a clothesline in your backyard, try hanging some of your laundry outside to dry instead. It’s free, it won’t turn your laundry room into a sauna, and you just can’t beat that fresh-air, clean-laundry smell.
Invest in Del Mar windows to reduce your electricity bill
Windows play a major role in maintaining the temperature of your home, and not all windows are created equal. A leaky window lets the Texas heat in and the air conditioning out, making it much harder to keep your home cool without breaking the bank.
Energy efficient windows from Del Mar use special coatings, sophisticated thermal barriers, and other insulation technology to seal in the cool air and deflect heat away.
This puts much less strain on your AC and saves you from the mental anguish of paying for conditioned air that just goes, quite literally, out the window.
Additionally, Del Mar windows are sleek, elegant, and attractive, so you don’t have to sacrifice looks for energy savings.
Make the switch from traditional house paint to COOLWALL® Exterior Coating
This is the biggest cost item on our list, but it also offers the biggest bang for the buck.
Your house can absorb up to 90% of the sun’s radiant heat. On a hot Texas day, that can be uncomfortable at best, dangerous at worst, and always expensive from an air conditioning perspective.
Thankfully, there’s a way to bring that number way down. TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® exterior coatings use military-grade technology to deflect that heat before it has a chance to penetrate your home. As a result, your energy bill is lower and your entire family is more comfortable.
TEX-COTE® COOLWALL® exterior coatings are available in any color and slow to fade, so you still get that “freshly painted” look. Bonus: COOLWALL® exterior coatings last much longer than traditional paint, so you can save time, money, and hassle in the long run.
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There are a lot of creative ways to endure the heat of a Texas summer without drowning in electrical bills. If you’re ready to upgrade your home and experience more comfort year-round, the experts at Texas Home Improvement can help you choose the right solutions for your needs.
What Is Fascia?
Fascia is the long, straight board that runs along the edge of your roofline. It’s usually the part you see directly below the roof shingles and along the outer edge of the eaves.
Fascia serves a few important purposes.
First, it provides a finished edge for the roof. It also helps support the lower edge of the roofing system and provides a surface where gutters can be attached.
That last part is especially important. Your gutters rely on the fascia for support, and properly functioning gutters help direct rainwater away from your home and its foundation.
If your fascia becomes damaged or starts to rot, it can eventually affect the gutters and the areas around them.
Why Are Soffit and Fascia Important?
Soffit and Fascia work together to protect one of the more vulnerable areas of your home’s exterior.
They help:
- Provide attic ventilation
- Protect the roofline from weather and moisture
- Keep pests out of the eaves
- Protect exposed areas beneath the roof
- Provide support for gutter systems
- Create a finished appearance around the roofline
Because they’re exposed to the elements year after year, they can eventually develop problems.
Common Soffit and Fascia Problems
Rot and Water Damage
Water is one of the biggest concerns, particularly with wood materials.
Leaks, damaged roofing, clogged gutters, or poor drainage can allow moisture to reach the soffit and fascia. Over time, that moisture can lead to rot, mold, and deterioration.
Soft or crumbling wood is a good reason to have the area inspected.
Cracking and Warping
Exterior materials are constantly exposed to heat, cold, moisture, and UV rays. Over time, that exposure can cause some materials to crack, warp, or pull away from the home.
If you notice boards that are bowing, separating, or no longer sitting properly, they should be checked.
Pest Problems
Small openings in damaged soffit can give birds, insects, and other pests a way into the eaves or attic.
If you notice nests, insects, or signs of animals getting into the roofline, inspect the soffit and fascia for gaps or damage.
Gutter Problems
Because gutters are commonly attached to the fascia, damaged fascia can create problems with the gutter system.
If your gutters are pulling away from the house, sagging, or becoming difficult to secure, the condition of the fascia behind them is worth checking.
When Should You Repair or Replace Soffit and Fascia?
Not every damaged soffit or fascia needs a complete replacement. However, if you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s worth having the area inspected:
- Soft or rotting wood
- Cracks or holes
- Warping or separation
- Water stains or signs of moisture damage
- Pest entry points
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia
- Repeated repairs or repainting in the same areas
- Large sections of deteriorating material
It is important to understand why the damage happened in the first place.
Replacing a section of rotted fascia without addressing an ongoing water or drainage problem could leave you dealing with the same issue again.
What Materials Can Be Used for Soffit and Fascia?
Homeowners have several material options, including wood, aluminum, and fiber cement.
Wood
Wood has a traditional appearance and can work well with certain home styles. The downside is that it requires more maintenance and can be vulnerable to moisture, rot, insects, and weather exposure.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another low-maintenance option. It’s resistant to moisture and won’t rot, although it can dent and may eventually show signs of wear.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is another option for homeowners looking for a durable exterior material with lower maintenance needs than traditional wood.
James Hardie fiber cement is one option to consider for both siding and soffit/fascia.
Why Consider James Hardie for Siding, Soffit, and Fascia?
If you’re already replacing failing siding, it can make sense to inspect the soffit and fascia at the same time.
These areas all work together as part of your home’s exterior, so replacing damaged materials together can create a more consistent finished look and address multiple areas of deterioration at once.
James Hardie fiber cement is designed to handle moisture and weather exposure while requiring less maintenance than traditional wood. For Texas homeowners, that can be especially valuable given the heat, sun, storms, and changing weather conditions our homes experience.
Using James Hardie for siding and soffit/fascia can also give the exterior a more cohesive appearance instead of mixing several different materials along the same roofline.
Of course, the right material depends on the condition of your home, the source of the damage, your budget, and the look you’re trying to achieve.
What Should You Look for Around Your Roofline?
You don’t need to be a contractor to spot some of the common warning signs. Take a look around your roofline and keep an eye out for:
- Soft or crumbling material
- Cracks or holes
- Warping or sagging
- Peeling or deteriorating paint
- Water stains or discoloration
- Gaps around the soffit
- Signs of birds or insects
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia
- Areas that have required repeated repairs
If you notice several of these issues at once, it’s a good idea to have the area professionally inspected.
Final Thoughts
Soffit and fascia may not be the first things you notice about your home, but they serve important purposes.
They help protect the roofline, support gutters, provide attic ventilation, and keep moisture and pests out of vulnerable areas.
If you’re seeing rot, cracking, warping, water damage, or other deterioration, the right solution isn’t always to replace everything. Start by identifying the source of the problem and determining whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.
And if you’re already replacing your siding, take the opportunity to inspect your soffit and fascia as well.
For Texas homeowners looking for a durable fiber-cement exterior, James Hardie siding and soffit/fascia are options worth considering as part of a complete exterior replacement.
