It doesn’t matter how big your home is or how many people there are in your family – trying to save as much money as possible is just the smart thing to do. Although it may cost you a bit of money upfront, regular maintenance will save you money in the long run. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save money on maintenance without compromising the health and happiness of your loved ones. So, what are some of the most effective ways to do so?
Maintain Your HVAC
Regardless of the location and size of your home, having a functional and effective HVAC system is definitely a must. This is something that will keep your home properly ventilated all year long, and help you regulate your indoor temperature. However, your HVAC system needs to be properly maintained if you want to make the most of it. Some of the HVAC maintenance issues you can take care of yourself while others require a professional. Replacing filters and cleaning grilles and visible ductwork should be done monthly and you can easily do this yourself.
The same goes for your A/C unit, so be sure to maintain that regularly as well. The US Department of Energy recommends cleaning your A/C coils, filters, and condensate drains regularly, and checking your window seals and preparing your window A/C unit for winter by either covering it or removing it from the window and storing it. All of these things will make your HVAC unit more efficient, last longer and reduce your heating and cooling expenses. Heating and Cooling are #1 & 2 making up 47% of your energy use. Although, the exact split depends on your local climate.
According to Connect4Climate the following are the top 10 energy users in your home:
- Heating and Cooling are #1 & 2 making up 47% of your energy use.
- Water Heater 14% of your energy use
- Washer and Dryer 13% of your energy use
- Lighting 12% of your energy use
- Refrigerator 4% of your energy use
- Oven 3-4% of your energy use
- TV. DVD, Cable box, etc 3%
- Dishwasher 2% of your energy use
- Computer 1% of your energy use
Maintain Your Fridge
This is another important issue lots of people are dealing with, so you need to learn a thing or two about it. Your fridge is an important part of your home, and it uses a huge amount of energy every single month. That’s why you have to keep maintaining it all the time, extending its life and making it work better than ever. Some of the things you need to do include cleaning every inch of it – especially the drain hole and drip pan – as well as checking the water filter and changing it when necessary. Be sure not to block the airflow over the coils (some refrigerators have them at the bottom and some are at the back) but they require clear airflow in order to transfer heat efficiently.
Maintain Your Dryer
You need to remove the lint from your dryer absolutely every time you run a load or you risk starting a fire. According to FEMA “2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.” In addition to the regular lint trap, you also need to check the ducts and clean them at least every year.
Maintain Your Floors
Even though most people don’t pay much attention to their floors, the truth is that your floors are a vital part of your home. Carpets trap dirt, dust, and allergens and need to be vacuumed regularly. Wood floors require lots of maintenance like sweeping and vacuuming to reduce the abrasives that will eat it up, and experts recommend recoating before the finish is entirely worn through. Never WET MOP or use furniture polish, vinegar, ammonia, pine cleaners or Murphy’s oil soap on a wood floor.
There are various vinyl flooring options that are much easier to install and maintain, than wood floors and are also visually appealing as well. These might be a good economical option if you need to replace your flooring.
Maintain Your Car
This isn’t home maintenance per se, but it’s a great way to save a ton of money. We should all know that maintaining your car is the only way to keep it moving in the future as well, but not every driver is doing that. That’s why you need to look into car maintenance essentials and do whatever you can to show your car some love and appreciation. From changing the oil regularly to visiting your mechanic as soon as you notice something might be wrong, these things mean quite a lot and make a big difference.
These things could seem insignificant and unimportant at first, but they really are quite crucial. Little by little, you could be saving a considerable amount of money with these maintenance tips, and that’s something we all need in this day and age.
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