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- Clean refrigerator and air conditioner coils: Since your fridge and air conditioner both work by exchanging heat through a network of coils, once these coils become dusty and dirty the system needs to work longer and harder to function. Cleaning these coils improves the efficiency of these machines and will save you money. To clean the coils in the fridge, just use a vacuum hose to clean the coils in the back of the unit. For the air conditioner, ensure that power is off to the unit first and then take apart the casing and clean with canned air or a stiff brush.
- Set up routine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance: Even though it does cost you to have someone come out and look at your units, it’s far less costly than having to do major repairs later. You can even check Groupon and other sites for deals on local HVAC companies.
- Inspect the roof: Check the roof for ice, hail, or water damage and do any necessary repairs; many of these are simply DIY projects. This will save you money down the road and will hopefully prevent any future water damage.
- Clean the gutters: Although cleaning the gutters is a dreaded chore for most people, it is necessary in order to prepare for a rainy spring. When gutters are clogged, water doesn’t pass through like it should and this means more water ends up near the foundation of your home which can mean serious water damage in the future.
- Clean the dryer vent: Even though you may clean out the lint trap in between loads, lint still builds up in the vent of your dryer. It is necessary to unhook the vent from the back of your dryer and vacuum out all of that trapped lint. You should also remove the vent cover from the exterior of your home and vacuum that out as well.
- Inspect washing machine hoses: With time hoses can crack and cause leaks that are not found right away which can cause mold issues and other problems. Check to make sure the hoses are in good condition and if they are cracked or showing signs of wear, replacing them is a simple fix!
- Caulk doors and windows: Although you may have caulked right before we went into the deep freeze, that caulk may have cracked already. Re-caulk where needed in order to keep the hot air out.
- Plant trees: Are you thinking about doing some landscaping this spring? Why not plant a couple of trees to help reduce sun exposure to your home or cold winds during the winter? If your home gets a lot of sun during the day, plant a couple of fast growing trees on the west, east, or northwest side of your home. This will help to block out some of that sun and hopefully cut down on your cooling bill. If you deal with harsh cold winds whipping into your home during the winter, consider planting some evergreens on the windiest side of your home.