4 Quick Home Maintenance Tasks That Will Save You Thousands
Have you ever had to cancel a vacation or trip because you’re suddenly faced with having to buy a new dryer?
These unexpected home maintenance or replacement costs can come from out of nowhere and really blindside your bank account. How do you cut down on them or even prevent them? Stay on top of your household maintenance!
Here are 4 small tasks that can make a huge difference.
Change Your HVAC Filters
These filters only cost a few dollars, and taking a few minutes to change them can save you a lot of money.
Dirty filters will cause your home’s heating and air conditioning system to work harder than they should. This may cause a steady increase in your monthly utility bills, as your unit is operating at a lower efficiency and using a higher volume of energy. This can also eventually wear your HVAC system out before its time.
A new system can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000. At the same time, regularly changing your filters can save you between 5%-15% a year on your energy bills.
Take Care of Your Garage Door
Most people don’t even think about their garage door until there is a problem with it. However, when those problems arise, they can be inconvenient, expensive and even dangerous.
Have a professional inspect everything and perform some preventative maintenance for your garage at least once per year. They can make sure all of the parts are well lubricate and in optimal working order.
They can also make sure it’s opening and closing properly. If your garage door is not forming a tight seal at the bottom or on the sides, it can let the outside weather in and send your utility bill skyward.
Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Traps, Hoses, and Vents
You have probably heard that you should do this. But, you may not know how serious the repercussions of a dirty vent or trap can be. However, dryers are actually the number one cause of residential fires in America.
You’re probably cleaning that easily accessible lint trap, but the hose is tucked away behind the dryer so you may forget about it. That doesn’t make it any less important.
Click here to learn how to clean these vents.
Clean Your Fridge’s Coils
Almost nobody does this. This means that, unfortunately, almost nobody is aware of the dirt and grime that has accumulated on the back of their fridge.
Dirty coils are inefficient coils. Your fridge is already accounting for about $158 of your home’s energy bills, and dirty coils mean it may eat up even more energy.
You can click here to see how to clean them and keep your fridge running efficiently.
These tasks may seem tedious and they’re certainly not glamorous. However, you may pat yourself on the back every time you hear that one of your friends has to buy a new appliance, air conditioner or garage door. Short tasks can go a long way! If your refrigerator is not cooling or preserving your food, read this how-to guides for DIY fixes.
