By mid-August, a Centennial home has been working overtime. Air conditioning has been humming, sprinklers have been running, afternoon storms have tested gutters and landscaping, and the rhythms of summer are beginning to bump into back-to-school schedules.
That makes this a surprisingly good week for a quick home reset.
You do not need a major renovation or an entire Saturday sacrificed to the home-maintenance gods.
A few strategic adjustments now can help save money, prevent headaches and make the transition into fall considerably smoother.
1. Make your cooling system work smarter
Colorado can still deliver plenty of heat in August, but running the air conditioner harder is not always the best answer.
Start with the inexpensive things: replace or check your HVAC filter, close blinds on windows receiving strong daytime sun and use ceiling fans to help circulate cooled air. Xcel Energy also recommends programmable thermostats and shifting heat-producing chores, such as laundry and dishwashing, away from the hottest portion of the day.
If your household is on a Time of Use electricity plan, consider pre-cooling during lower-cost hours and allowing the temperature to rise slightly during peak-rate periods. That little scheduling trick can turn your thermostat into a tiny household accountant.
2. Give the sprinkler system a five-minute audit
Do not assume the irrigation system that worked perfectly in June is still behaving itself.
Run each zone briefly and look for broken heads, geysers, water hitting sidewalks and driveways, soggy patches or areas that are no longer being reached.
Because Centennial properties are served by different water districts, watering rules and programs can vary by neighborhood. Use Centennial's Property Search to identify the water provider serving your specific address, then check that provider's current watering recommendations.
Ten minutes spent finding a leaking sprinkler today can prevent weeks of watering the pavement.
3. Do an August storm check
Colorado's summer storms can reveal problems remarkably quickly.
Take a walk around the house after your next rain. Check gutters for debris, make sure downspouts are flowing freely and watch where water travels once it reaches the ground. Water repeatedly pooling beside the foundation or around window wells deserves attention.
FEMA recommends keeping gutters and downspouts clear and repairing them when necessary to reduce the risk of water-related damage.
This is one of those wonderfully unglamorous homeowner jobs where thirty minutes now can potentially prevent a painfully expensive surprise later.
4. Make this week's yard work fire-smart
This tip is especially timely: Arapahoe County currently has a Stage 2 Burn Ban in effect because of heightened fire risk, and the City of Centennial is prominently alerting residents to the restriction.
Use that as your cue for a simple outdoor cleanup. Remove accumulated dry leaves and debris near the house, tidy dead plant material and review current burn-ban restrictions before using anything outdoors that involves flame or sparks.
5. Build a “launch zone” before fall gets busy
Finally, improve the part of the house that costs nothing to upgrade: your routine.
Choose one spot near the most-used entrance for keys, backpacks, incoming mail, reusable shopping bags, dog gear and things that need to leave the house tomorrow.
One basket, one hook and one designated landing spot can eliminate an astonishing amount of daily scavenger hunting.
Centennial Smarts is not about doing more. It is about making the things you already do work a little harder for you.
Save a few minutes. Prevent a few unnecessary expenses. Make home feel easier.
That is a pretty smart return on investment.
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Love having local sources mentioned, like the city site. Makes things feel more relevant to Centennial folks.
Thank you! We strive to keep things locally relevant so Centennial residents can make the most of the resources right in their own backyard.
It’s August and my house already feels like a back-to-school tornado. Time to reset and get my routine together.
Gina S.Same here! I swear every year the transition sneaks up faster. I’m hoping a little organizing will keep things from getting out of hand.
We hear you, August can feel like a whirlwind! Even a few small changes can make a big difference in easing that back-to-school chaos.
Making home 'feel easier' is honestly my life goal at this point. Will definitely try at least one of these.
Big fan of practical over perfection. These reminders feel achievable for once, thanks.
Josh BenderTotally agree. Sometimes all the big projects are overwhelming, but these little things actually seem doable. Might finally tackle my gutters this weekend.
Blinds closed + ceiling fans = perfect combo when it gets hot. Glad to know I’m already doing something right.
Not sure I buy the 'only takes five minutes' claim on sprinklers but I’ll give it a shot!
Melody H.Yeah, mine always turns into a whole project. Maybe if I just set a timer for 5 minutes, I won't get sucked into fixing the whole system at once.
We hear you, sometimes it takes a bit longer, but even a quick check can catch those obvious sprinkler issues that could otherwise be costly or wasteful.
Love that the advice is specific for Centennial. So many online lists ignore our local water weirdness and weather.
Pre-cooling never crossed my mind before. Going to try it before the next heatwave hits.
Glad you found pre-cooling helpful, it's a simple trick that can really help control both comfort and electricity costs during those late-summer spikes.
Wish my HOA actually reminded us about burn bans and yard stuff, not just grass height. Good info here.
I’m so bad about letting debris pile up by the porch. Didn’t realize it was a fire risk too. Getting out the rake ASAP.
Can we just agree that summer storms in Colorado are wild? Never know what’s coming, so a storm check makes sense.
Stage 2 burn ban but people keep having backyard fires in my area. Hope folks pay attention to this.
Great list, but would love more tips for small apartments. Not all of us have yards or sprinklers.
TylerR.Same here! I'd love some ideas for renters too, like organizing small entryways or creative cooling tricks without a yard.
Great point! Many of these ideas can be scaled down, apartment dwellers can still optimize cooling, create a launch zone, and check for indoor leaks, and we’ll keep your request in mind for future articles.
These simple changes really do help. Caught a small leak last summer doing one of these walkarounds and avoided big repair costs.
I wish there was a reminder to check gutters built into my phone, they always slip my mind until it pours.
Jess P. MoralesSame here! I always remember after the rain starts. Would be so helpful if there was an automatic alert or even just a seasonal reminder.
My launch zone is just a pile by the garage door right now. Maybe time to actually hang up some hooks.
I put a hook up for my son’s backpack next to the door last year and seriously cut the last minute panic. Launch zone is genius!
Love that the launch zone has been a game changer for your mornings, it’s amazing how a single hook can bring so much sanity to the routine!
Thanks for the FEMA tip. Wish I listened last year before the window well fiasco. Taking notes now.
We're so glad the FEMA reminder resonated, sometimes the smallest checks can save us from the biggest headaches!
I like how it says you don’t have to make every project an all-day thing. Ten minutes here and there is doable even with my schedule.
Does anyone have a smart thermostat recommendation that works with older HVAC? Trying to upgrade but not sure where to start.
Anyone have a good system for keeping gutters clear from all the pine needles? Ours clog constantly after storms.
I’m guilty of letting laundry and dishes run at 4pm. Didn’t know about pre-cooling and shifting chores. Smart!
Happy to help! Small changes in your daily routine, like shifting chores and pre-cooling, can really smooth out your home's energy use during summer peaks.
Seems like these tips apply every year, but the reminders always come just in time for me. Will do the sprinkler check this weekend.
The property search site was a good callout. Didn’t realize Centennial had so many different water districts.
Totally forgot about programmable thermostats. Might be time to upgrade, especially if it helps save even $10 a month.
Xcel's tips are always useful. Shifted my laundry times and actually noticed my bill go down a little.
The 'home reset' idea is a good one, especially before fall sports and school stuff takes over.
I've had sprinklers soaking the neighbor's driveway all summer... Might be time for that audit.
Maybe unpopular opinion, but programmable thermostats confuse me. Still stuck adjusting it by hand every day.
You're not alone, programmable thermostats can take some getting used to, but even basic manual adjustments (like shifting settings for times when everyone’s out) can offer savings and comfort.
Clearing gutters is always gross, but after that last hailstorm, it’s a must. Thanks for the nudge.
You’re absolutely right, sometimes those messy chores make all the difference, especially after storms like the ones we've seen recently.
I wish more people would actually follow the burn ban. It’s not just about fines, it’s our homes at risk. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you for emphasizing the importance, protecting homes and neighborhoods is what these burn bans are all about, especially during high risk.
thanks for the reminder about dead leaves. Had no clue about the burn ban. Won't be grilling outside this week!
I like the launch zone concept. Started one last year and mornings actually got smoother. Go for it, parents!
Stage 2 ban makes me nervous, especially with how dry it’s been. We’ll be extra careful in the yard this week.
Good call on removing dead leaves. Fire bans make me nervous, especially living near the greenbelt where folks like to set off stuff. Stay safe, everyone!
Kind of wish these tips came out at the start of summer, but better late than never. Pre-cooling is a cool trick.
Quick walk around the house after rain sounds easy but I always put it off. Need to get on it before something expensive breaks.
Seems like every year my sprinklers create a new swamp somewhere. Appreciate the push to actually check.
Our neighbor’s sprinklers spray their whole driveway every morning, drives me nuts! Will share the audit tip with them (nicely).
Glad you found the audit tip helpful, sharing it kindly could help your neighbor conserve water and keep driveways dry.
If only my list of things to fix around the house was this short. But this definitely makes it feel less overwhelming!
Great reminders as we slide toward back-to-school. Love tips that don't involve spending big money.
Anyone else struggling to use ceiling fans right? My spouse insists they don’t help but I feel like they make our house a little cooler in the evenings.
Sam D.I’m with you. We keep our fans running counterclockwise in summer and it definitely feels cooler to me, especially after sunset. Maybe it’s just personal preference?
The programmable thermostat is key. Set mine last year and barely touch it now. House stays comfy and cheaper.
Couldn’t agree more on doing small things now before school starts up again. Less stress when the routines hit full force.
Anyone else feel personally called out by the baskets of random stuff at every door? Glad I'm not alone. Gonna try the one-basket approach.
Rachel B.You're definitely not alone! Every time I clear one out, another pile forms. Hope the single basket helps you, let us know if it actually sticks!
I always forget to check window wells for pooling water after storms! Last year we had a mini flood that could’ve been prevented. Not making that mistake again.
Switching laundry to evenings is so simple but I never thought about the cost difference with Time of Use rates. Will try!
Jen MedinaI tried doing dishes later in the day last summer and it did help with bills a bit. Gonna add laundry to my nighttime routine too!
Sprinkler heads go rogue so fast, especially after dogs and mowers. Simple audit is a good call, maybe I’ll get my teens to help.
Rosie BeltranI get you! The neighborhood dogs knock ours every other week. Good idea to rope the teens in, might actually get done faster.
I know it's basic, but checking the gutters does save a lot of headaches. Got burned by a flooded basement two years ago. Not again.
Appreciate the reminder about the different watering rules in each district. Wish they were all the same, honestly, it gets confusing.
Love the launch zone tip. With kids running around and school starting, we really need a parking spot for the chaos.
Thank you! A launch zone can be a game-changer, especially during those busy school mornings, we hope it brings some order to the daily rush.
The launch zone idea changed my mornings last school year. We use a small basket near our door and it keeps the keys, backpacks, and my sanity all in one place.
Tracy AnnThat sounds like a great system. I always end up searching for my keys at the worst time. Maybe I’ll try setting up a basket this week.
Always forget to check for soggy patches with the sprinklers until the water bill makes me regret it. Doing my 5 minute audit now!
Pre-cooling during off-peak hours actually saved us a good amount on our last bill. Smart tip for anyone juggling Xcel’s Time of Use plan.
Great to hear pre-cooling made a difference for your bill, timing really counts with Time of Use plans and can add up to real savings.
Is there an easy way to tell who your water provider is? The property search tool is new to me, thanks for the link!
Just replaced my HVAC filter last week. The difference in air quality is huge and it takes five minutes! Plus my dog isn't sneezing as much.
So glad to hear your air quality improved and your pup is breathing easier, changing the HVAC filter really is one of the simplest and fastest home resets.
Lori W.Glad to hear it helps! I always forget how much those filters matter until I finally swap them out. My allergies usually give me the reminder though.
I honestly just closed all my blinds for the first time during the heat wave and it made a huge difference. Highly recommend.
Didn't realize water rules are different by neighborhood. Will look up ours now, thanks.
Honestly, closing the blinds during the day made way more difference than I thought. My AC finally gets a little break!
That burn ban reminder is super important. I always see people grilling when it’s dry out. We try to keep our yard raked but probably need to clean up more often.
Thank you for staying proactive about yard cleanup, especially with a burn ban in effect, small steps like raking and debris removal make a big safety impact.
These are all great ideas, but my kids still manage to leave shoes everywhere no matter how many baskets or hooks I give them.
Our gutters overflowed during that big storm last week. Took forever to clean them out. Should have checked sooner!
Gutter surprises are never fun, regular checks, especially right before storm season, can save a lot of time and mess later on!
Had no idea the burn ban was up to Stage 2. Glad I read this before firing up the fire pit this weekend. Fire-smart yard work is on my list now.
Every year I forget to check our gutters until it's too late! Definitely taking that walk after the next rain. Thanks for making these tips feel manageable.
So glad the tips feel doable, taking a quick check after rain can spare you a lot of hassle and expense down the road.
Do programmable thermostats really save much? Been considering one but not sure if worth the setup.
Love these simple tips that don't cost a ton. Not everyone has time for major projects in August.
Appreciate the heads up on the burn ban. I didn't know it was Stage 2 right now.
We just found a broken sprinkler head last week flooding the sidewalk. Five-minute audit is real advice!
Great catch! A quick check can make a big difference, and stopping leaks early helps save both water and money.
The launch zone idea is gold. With two kids, backpacks everywhere drives me nuts. Gonna give that a try.
Honestly, I always forget to check my HVAC filter, so this is my reminder to actually swap it out. Hoping that helps with my bill too.
Swapping the filter really can help both your air quality and energy efficiency, a small habit with a big payoff for your comfort and your wallet.