Spring is around the corner and most of us are looking forward to spending time outdoors, but there are a few indoor projects you want to make sure not to neglect.
Here are recommended maintenance tips to take care of your home:
- Test your air conditioning system before the weather gets too warm. If you wait until a really hot day you may have a hard time finding an HVAC technician that can make it out to your home quickly.
- Have a professional air conditioning technician inspect and maintain your system. A tune-up ensures that your system is running efficiently and safely, saving you money and providing you peace of mind!
- Inspect/replace your HVAC air filter. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of your heating/cooling system and increase costs.
- Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning.
- Spring is a great time to have your air ducts cleaned. Your home has been closed up all winter with dust and dirt accumulating in your ductwork. Now is a good time to have this cleaned out.
- Run through a severe weather drill with your family.
- Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to provide a level-walking surface.
- Check the shut-off valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function. If you don’t know where they’re located, now is a good time to locate the shut-off valve on each fixture in your home.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer. An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
- Clean your washing machine by running an empty load on hot with a cup of chlorine bleach.
- Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn, or damaged.
- Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Change batteries as well, if you have not done so in the last year.
- Check your water heater. A water heater should be maintained on an annual basis. Sediment builds up in your water heater over time, decreasing its efficiency and leading to higher utility bills.
- Finish any cleaning projects you have started.