How Do Record Heat Waves Impact Your HOA?

No matter where you live in the country, you’ve probably experienced an extreme heat wave in the past few years. Extreme weather of all types is becoming more common. Have you stopped to think of the impact this might have on your HOA?

We’ve talked about how a war thousands of miles away can affect your homeowner’s association. Extreme heat has a far more direct impact. We don’t think of heat in the same way we do tornadoes or hurricanes. But we should. The consequences of being unprepared are costly and can be dangerous.

So what are the major ways record heat waves impact your HOA?

Wildfires

For many areas of the U.S., wildfires are increasingly common. Extreme heat elevates the risk of fire. In California alone, over 2.5 million acres were burned by wildfires in 2021. How wildfire risk affects your HOA depends on your location and the type of dwellings in your community.

Location

In areas at high risk for wildfires, every homeowner should do their best to secure comprehensive wildfire insurance. That can be difficult in certain high-risk areas. Those areas might qualify for state assistance in getting basic insurance. If you’re in California, check out the FAIR Plan.

If you are in a high-risk area, find out what type of fire insurance your HOA has. Don’t assume it covers everything. Know what insurance is covered by your dues and what you need to purchase yourself.

Check your HOA reserve study and current budget. You need to know how much the HOA has funded for potential extreme weather and fires.

Dwellings

If your HOA manages a community of detached houses, they are unlikely to take responsibility for wildfire damage to your home. If you’re in a unit in a larger building, your HOA probably has insurance for some parts of the building.

What they are unlikely to insure is the contents of your home and interior walls. You’re also probably on your own for a place to stay while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.

Once again, find out exactly what your HOA has for fire insurance and what it covers. Check the reserve study to see if adequate funds are set aside for the severity of your area’s wildfire risk.

Managing Wildfire Risk

Your HOA might ask you to help mitigate the risk of wildfires damaging your home and others. Clearing brush, removing excess vegetation, and storing firewood far from your home are just a few of the things you can do.

If your HOA is a community of detached homes in a high-risk area, consider hiring a professional to help you reduce the risk to your home. Also, keep track of current conditions and adjust your behavior when the heat rises and the risk of fire is high.

Unfortunately, 85% of wildfires are caused by human behavior. Understand the risks in your community and abide by guidelines from your local government.

Air Conditioning

Wildfires are not the only way extreme heat affects your HOA. Even if you’re in an area with a low risk of wildfires, a heat wave can be dangerous and expensive. The largest of those costs is air conditioning.

Every HOA is a little different. Some maintain the HVAC for the entire building or community. Others impose restrictions on the type of cooling apparatus you’re allowed to have on or in your home.

When the heat soars, so does the stress on every air conditioning system. Your first job as a member of an HOA is to learn the rules. Read your community’s CC&Rs and other documents so you know exactly what to expect.

In the middle of a heat wave is not when you want to find out that your HOA does not cover the air conditioner maintenance in your unit. It’s also a terrible time to find out that the window AC unit you rely on is prohibited by HOA rules.

When you move into a community with an HOA, take the time to read the governing documents. It’s the first step in preparing for extreme heat waves.

The next step is reviewing the operating and reserve budgets. In a building with attached units, regular maintenance should be scheduled. System replacement based on average lifespan should be in the reserve budget.

Understand that these budgets may change as record-setting heat stresses the systems in your community. An HVAC system that works harder may not last as long. Your HOA should be prepared for that possibility.

Cost Increases

Preparing for extreme heat and handling it effectively can be expensive for your HOA. With longer, more frequent heat waves, more HOA communities are affected.

Cost increases are a result of higher energy costs, higher insurance premiums, and more maintenance for cooling systems. If you’re on the HOA board, or part of the budget committee, do your best to prepare community members for any increased dues or assessments.

As a member of the community, you can help control these costs. Set your air conditioner a little higher and supplement with fans. Invest in blackout curtains to keep the heat out of your home.

Have your home insulation inspected. It may not be sufficient for extreme temperatures. Whether you or your HOA is responsible for adding more depends on your community rules and regulations.

Power Outages

Extreme heat places enormous stress on the power grid. Prepare for power outages by having battery-powered fans, flashlights, and other supplies handy.

Unplug unused appliances and electronics. They are a drain on the electrical system of both your home and your larger community. Be aware of everything from turning off lights to air-drying laundry.

The more energy you save the less strain on the power grid. Power outages are dangerous for vulnerable members of your community. Help them and cut your own costs by consciously reducing your energy consumption.

Stay Safe

Record-breaking heat waves affect everyone, including the members and board of your HOA. When you understand the issues, you’re in a better place to mitigate the risks that come with extreme heat.

Understand the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to avoid them. Check on your neighbors. Share strategies for keeping cool. Change your behavior to reduce the risk of wildfires. Maintain your home to reduce the impact of wildfires.

We can’t avoid the heat. But as members of an HOA we can limit the toll it takes on our homes, health, and wallets. Ask your HOA board members how they are preparing for heat waves. Some, in places like fire-prone California, may have comprehensive strategies.

Others may not have experienced a record-breaking heat wave yet. If that’s you, start planning now. Being prepared for extreme heat can help your HOA avoid expensive, dangerous mistakes.