Heating and Cooling

Don’t put off home maintenance any longer.  As soon as the snow melts, take care of your home.  It’s almost time to come out of hibernation and inspect your home for winter damage.  Snow and ice can really take a toll on your home.  For example ice damming on your roof and gutters which is an accumulation of ice formations – a sign of inadequate insulation. Here are a few things you should take care of ASAP.

Clean and check your home heating system

You need to clean and check your furnace filters and be sure to clear away any debris, leaves, etc. from your air conditioner.

Clean or replace your furnace filter

A dirty filter will cost you 30% more in your utility bills as well as premature breakdown of your equipment.  If you need a new furnace the springtime offers some of the best pricing and manufacturer rebates on furnaces.

Clear snow from vent air intakes and crawl space doors

In the early spring, ice and snow will accumulate around furnace outside vents, intakes and gas meters.  Keep these areas free and clear to avoid potential problems.

Visually inspect your roof

Our cold, snowy winter has put all of our roofs through a test and a lot of wear and tear.  Remove any snow and ice.  Be careful not to damage the roof surface and of course be careful on the ladder.  From the street, look for any dips in the roof or any missing shingles.  Nail down any loose shingles or flashing.  Look for shingles that are cracked or curling and check the tuck pointing on your chimney.  If the job is large, seek the help of a professional.

Check downspouts and gutters

With the large amount of snow we have and the spring rain, your gutters need to be clean and clear to handle all the water.  Be sure to check your gutters with a hose to be sure that they are clean and clear and they don’t back up.

Inspect your basement and crawl space

Look for standing water, cracks and mold or mildew.

Perform safety checks around your home

Check all smoke and CO detectors and be sure to change your batteries to coincide with daylight saving time in March.  Check your fire extinguisher and be sure it’s charged and has a current date.  Have a fire escape plan.  Make sure you practice it with your family and that the kids understand it.

Other Related articles

1. Going to be away from home for a while? Follow these tips before you go
2. Heat Loss – Symtoms & Solutions
3. Winter Furnace Maintenance Tips
4. Electric Heaters and Gas Space Heaters
5. Mold and your Home

Tags: Furnace, home safety, maintenance, rebates, spring

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 12:04 pm and is filed under Consumer protection, Furnace, Health, Informational, Safety, Savings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.