Jim Valentine: Extreme weather and your home

Known for having four good seasons, Northern Nevada has been seeing some extreme weather of late. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, just not year-round with extreme snowfall and heat within a few months of one another. Extremes can be fun and character building, but we think it is important to consider your real estate needs and circumstances and keep everything in perspective.

It is easy to adapt on a temporary basis and there is no need to change your home too much for a few days of extremes. So how do you get by without major retrofitting of your home? Let’s start with the heat as we are in that time of the year and bracing for an unusually hot weather pattern.

Believe it or not, just 40 years ago only one home in 50 had air conditioning. Everyone would open their windows at night and cool their house off with the cool of the evening that we enjoy in the high desert. In the morning they would seal off the house and keep it cool. With the change in tax laws in the late 1980s many retirees from out of the area found their way here and they wanted A/C. Today it is the norm in almost every home. Simple temporary tools for heat can be misters on the patio or other outside areas. They are effective under a patio cover that breaks the sun beat down and the mister cools the air.

Inside, keep the blinds/curtains closed on windows that get exposed to the sun. It is overhead this time of year in Northern Nevada, but in the morning and evening it will beam into your windows. Close the window coverings to minimize the sun’s radiant affect. In the winter you may want to gather solar gain in your windows especially with your south facing windows as the sun is way south and can provide good solar heating.

Sometimes in the winter you will be dealing with snow in the valleys. Other times we can get a cold snap. You’ll need winter clothing just like you need summer clothing for our summer weather. Your home should have a means to divert water or snow from your front porch, so you don’t get ice buildup when you experience an extended cold snap. This is especially true on north facing homes as they go all day long without having the sun hit their front door area.

Your home will need some tools for the season. In the winter you’ll need a snow shovel or snowblower depending on your snow clearing needs and budget. Summer season will have you weeding to minimize fire danger and for aesthetics. These tools come in different sizes so again you are faced with the decision whether to gear up for the extreme or get the one that works well 95-98 percent of the time and work a little harder during the time of extremes.

Extremes can cause power outages whether from high winds or excessive snow in the winter to power overloads on the system during a high heat extreme. A generator for your home will keep you safe during either of those scenarios. It will keep you and your family safe and comfortable and create added value when you are in a position to sell.

Extremes happen once in a while. If you are prepared, you’ll embrace them and marvel at the strength and beauty of mother nature. Living in the mountains we can witness her creative palette almost daily. The old Nevada saying, “If you don’t like the weather wait an hour!” was created from real life experience. As we prepare to embrace some of the hottest weather in years it’s easy to forget that we just had the most snow that most have ever seen in our area… ever. Enjoy each of our seasons as they happen, and you’ll be happy. Be flexible and resilient and you’ll find the extremes memorable.

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com.