May home maintenance: the checklist
The home jobs to do in May are small and regular. They keep the flat cool, keep the electricity bill in check and stop stagnant water from turning into a mosquito problem. None of them needs a contractor, and most take a few minutes. Go through this hot weather home checklist at the start of the month, then repeat the weekly items:
- Clean the aircon filters and let them dry fully before you refit them.
- Set the aircon at 25 degrees C and use the timer to switch it off before you wake.
- Close curtains or blinds in the hot afternoon hours.
- Switch appliances off at the socket instead of leaving them on standby.
- Close windows before you go out, in case a storm arrives while you are away.
- Do a weekly Mozzie Wipeout: look for stagnant water and clear scupper drains.
- Check plugs and power strips for heat, cracks or a loose fit.
Each item has its own section below.
If the filters have not been cleaned for a while, start there. Our guide on how to clean an aircon filter walks you through it. Switch the aircon off before you open the front panel, and work with dry hands. If a unit still cools poorly after a filter clean, it may be time to ask an aircon servicing company to take a closer look.
Why May: the weather
May falls in the first of Singapore's two inter-monsoon periods. Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) says the inter-monsoon periods, from late March to May and from October to November, have light and variable winds and thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening, which are at times severe. MSS adds that hot afternoons are common in the first inter-monsoon period.
For your home, that means two things to plan for. Afternoons can feel warm indoors, so the aircon tends to run longer and the bill goes up. And a storm can arrive while you are at work or out for the afternoon, with rain coming in through open windows onto floors, sills and anything plugged in nearby.
Keep cooling costs down
The National Environment Agency (NEA) publishes energy-saving tips for households, and several of them fit May well. NEA suggests setting the aircon at 25 degrees C and setting the timer to switch it off half an hour before you wake. It also suggests checking the aircon filter once a month, closing curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day, and switching appliances off at the socket instead of leaving them on standby. For a storage water heater, NEA suggests switching it on 10 to 30 minutes before use and off afterwards.
If 25 degrees C feels warm at first, give yourself a few nights to get used to it, and use a fan to move the air around the room. The timer is worth setting every night: the room stays cool while you sleep, and the unit is already off by the time you get up.
For more on getting the settings right, see our guide to aircon settings to save electricity.
Mosquitoes after storms
Afternoon storms leave small pools of water in places that are easy to miss, and stagnant water is where Aedes mosquitoes breed. NEA's checklist for preventing Aedes mosquito breeding covers the usual spots around a home:
| Spot | What to do |
|---|---|
| Vases | Change the water every other day |
| Plant plates | Remove the water every other day |
| Scupper drains | Clear them weekly |
| Roof gutters | Check them monthly |
| Air-conditioner units | Do not place trays under them |
After a heavy storm, add a quick walk round the home. Check the balcony or service yard, pots and saucers by the door, pails, and anything near a window that collects rain. Tip out any water you find, and turn empty containers upside down so they cannot fill again.
Our guide on how to prevent mosquito breeding has more on keeping each part of the home free of stagnant water.
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Find the right servicePower strips and plugs
In hot weather, fans run for longer and more devices sit on charge, so it is worth looking over your plugs and power strips. These are practical hot weather home tips rather than any agency's rule:
- Do not daisy-chain power strips by plugging one strip into another.
- With dry hands, feel plugs and strips after use. A plug or strip that feels hot is a sign to stop using it.
- Replace any plug, cable or power strip that is cracked, scorched or loose in the socket.
When you need a replacement, our post on the SAFETY Mark on electrical products explains what to look for before you buy.
Questions
Is it cheaper to leave the aircon on all day in hot weather?
Usually not. Running the aircon only when you are in the room is the simpler way to keep the bill down. NEA suggests setting it at 25 degrees C and using the timer to switch it off half an hour before you wake. When you go out, switch it off and close the curtains.
Why does my flat feel hotter in May?
Because hot afternoons are common at this time of year. Meteorological Service Singapore describes late March to May as an inter-monsoon period with light and variable winds, afternoon thunderstorms and hot afternoons. Closing curtains or blinds in the afternoon and using a fan alongside the aircon can make the flat feel more comfortable.
Should I unplug appliances during a thunderstorm?
You can unplug sensitive electronics, such as a computer or TV, if you prefer. Do it with dry hands and while the floor around the socket is dry. If rain has come in and water has reached a socket or plug, do not touch it. Keep away and call a Licensed Electrician.
Does closing the curtains keep the flat cooler?
Yes, it helps. NEA suggests closing curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day as one of its energy-saving tips for households. In practice, draw them on the side of the flat that gets the afternoon sun, and open them again in the evening if you want to let air through.
Can a fan and aircon together save power?
They can. A fan moves the air around the room, so you may feel comfortable with the aircon set a little higher than you would use on its own. Try raising the setting one degree at a time and see what suits your household.
Why are there more mosquitoes after it rains?
Because rain leaves stagnant water behind, and stagnant water is where Aedes mosquitoes breed. NEA asks households to clear scupper drains weekly, check roof gutters monthly, and change water in vases and remove water in plant plates every other day. After a storm, a quick check of pots, pails and the balcony for standing water helps too.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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