How to Protect Your Home From Extreme Heat

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Extreme heat and Virginia homes

How are you staying cool? Excessive heat is becoming more frequent in Virginia as a hotter-than-usual summer is likely to occur in the U.S. and many other parts of the globe. The number of days with a heat index of 90°F or higher has increased. In 2022, Richmond experienced eight more extreme heat days than in 1979. Although extreme heat does not cause sudden damage to your home, this severe weather can cause damage to structural elements, such as wood, paint, siding, and foundations. Virginia's humidity, combined with extreme heat, can challenge the integrity of your home's structure and cause mold, mildew, and termite issues.

Does home insurance cover damage from extreme heat?

Normal wear and tear on your home, such as heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, roofing, and other home structures, is not covered by home insurance and requires regular maintenance to prevent damage. Homeowners insurance can cover damage caused by fire, falling trees, vandalism, lightning strikes, and other covered perils.

Extreme heat can be accompanied by drought conditions and wildfire  and can be covered. When drought conditions are exposed to sudden heavy rainfall, home flooding can also occur. High temperatures and overuse can cause excessive heat in the electrical system, increasing the danger of a fire. It's important to talk to a local agent in your community about common weather risks your home may experience and plan your insurance protection accordingly.

How to protect your home from extreme heat

Taking measures to protect the inside and outside of your home during hot weather will mitigate damage, lower your utility costs, and make your home more comfortable. 

Inside your home

• Install and replace weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Properly seal and block air gaps around window air conditioning units.
• Upgrade when replacing windows to insulated double-pane.
• Check your refrigerator temperature and clean dust from cooling coils to prevent appliance overheating.
• Add heat control window film to reflect the sun.
• Install drapes, shades, or window tinting on every window.
• Insulate your attic and attic door.
• Install a whole-house attic fan.
• Encapsulate your crawl space to prevent the issue of heat and humidity-induced mold and mildew damage.
• Consider installing a backup generator in case of prolonged power outages. 
• To keep yourself cool, use a breeze and air movement inside your home. Set ceiling fans to move counterclockwise.
• Fluctuating temperatures cause metal pipes to expand and contract, leading to leaks. Install water leak detection devices to protect your home from water damage caused by leaking or burst pipes. 
• Service your air conditioning system annually and regularly change the filter.
• Use a dehumidifier to help control humidity inside your home. Excessive humidity, which often accompanies high temperatures, can cause corrosion and damage to outlets, wiring, and electrical devices. This problem can increase the risk of malfunction in your home system. 
• Install a smart or programmable thermostat.
  
• Reduce the use of appliances that use energy and generate heat during the hottest parts of the day.
• Avoid using extension cords for fans or window-unit air conditioners — they raise the risk of electrical fire because they increase the demand on a single outlet or circuit.

Outside your home

• Coat and seal your roof against UV rays.
• Plant native plants that thrive in Virginia and do not need additional watering.
• Use reflective and light-colored materials when replacing a roof.
  
• Have your roof and attic inspected annually.
• Install vapor barriers to prevent expansion, warping, cracked shingles, and dried-out caulk.
• To create shade, add trees and awnings to your home's southern exposure. Plant trees at a sufficient distance from the foundation to avoid foundation damage due to roots, and consider a wildfire-defensible area if you live in a high-risk area of Virginia.
• Invest in light-colored paint elastomeric paint for stucco, concrete and masonry, roofs, brick, and metal exteriors. 
• Extreme heat can cause paint to bubble and crack. These cracks can create openings that allow moisture to enter your home, attracting insects and causing mold and mildew growth. 
• Regularly inspect wood siding, decks, trim, and other structures for any signs of damage.
• Apply a protective coating product to sun-exposed wood.
• Keep the soil around your home moist from time to time to prevent extreme heat from causing the earth to shrink and pull away from the foundation. Foundation problems cause issues in the rest of your home, such as sloping floors and windows or doors that do not close.