You can make your home more energy efficient and prevent expensive repairs by performing a few simple seasonal maintenance tasks. From tuning up your lawn and garden equipment to cleaning refrigerator coils and dryer vents, small steps can save you hundreds of dollars each year while extending the life of your appliances. This article explains how to maintain critical systems like your HVAC, refrigerator, and outdoor power tools, reduce energy waste through sealing and filter replacement, and ensure safety with regular inspections. By following these practical tips, homeowners can enjoy lower utility bills, improved performance, and greater peace of mind throughout the year.
1. Tune up lawn and garden equipment
Replace air filters, fuel filters, spark plugs and other key components. Inspect lawn mowers, string trimmers, edgers and other outdoor power equipment for damage and performance issues and troubleshoot and complete repairs. Find engine tune-up kits
2. Replace furnace or air handler air filter
3. Clean out the central air conditioning system
Use a condenser coil cleaning brush to remove leaves and other debris from the condensing unit’s aluminum fins. Shrub and tree trimming may be necessary to prevent air flow restriction. There should be two feet of clear space around the unit and eight feet of space above the unit. Central air maintenance tips
4. Properly seal the exterior
Inspect the exterior for holes and fill as needed. Apply fresh weatherstripping to windows and doors.
5. Clean out dryer venting
Use a dryer vent cleaning brush to remove lint buildup from the inside of the dryer to the outside. This should happen at least once per year, as lint buildup in dryers is an extreme fire hazard. Dryer maintenance tips
6. Replace refrigerator water filter
Water filters should be replaced at least every six months. Follow refrigerator owner’s manuals for model-specific care and maintenance information.
7. Clean off refrigerator condenser coils
8. Troubleshoot and repair appliances and equipment
Look for changes in performance and troubleshoot to fix issues as soon as possible to reduce energy consumption, avoid downtime and prevent costlier repairs. Repair Help
9. Check for water leakage
Inspect pipes and plumbing for water leakage. Check washing machine fill hoses for blistering and cracks. If damage is found, turn off the water supply and replace the fill hoses as soon as possible with stainless steel hoses.