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Spring is that time of year when most people run headlong outdoors, often not really sure – or much caring – where the excursion might take them. After all, isn’t outdoors a destination unto itself?
Well, once the fever breaks a little and the novelty of spring becomes your new norm, it’s time to get down to business and perform certain home maintenance functions that are every bit inherently spring as the planting of a new vegetable garden.
Hopefully the following spring home maintenance tips will at least get you pointed in the right direction.
Inspect your roof for any cracked or missing shingles. After all, this is your home’s first line of defense against water damage.
Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris, and your down spouts are directing water away from your home.
If you have access to a pressure washer, give the outside of you home a good cleaning, including fences, patios and decks. This is also a good time to check for, and repair, any damage that could expose wood surfaces to moisture.
Inspect window and door frames for cracks. Proper sealing and caulking discourages little critters from entering your home, prevents water damage, and helps reduce your air conditioning bill.
Make sure your air conditioning compressor is free of any vegetation. Good airflow aids your unit’s efficient operation.
Indoor Maintenance
First and foremost, replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s easy and inexpensive and can save your life.
Clean your refrigerator coils with a vacuum hose or brush. Dirty coils make your refrigerator work harder, which causes your electricity bill to rise.
Vacuum vents and baseboard heaters. And don’t forget your dryer vent. Not all lint ends up in the lint trap. A clogged dryer vent lessens its efficiency and is a known fire hazard.
Have your air conditioning system tuned up and inspected by an experienced HVAC technician to make sure it’s running at maximum efficiency. A hot day is a terrible time to find out your system isn’t working properly.
If you still have a turn-dial thermostat, replacing it for a programmable model can save energy, lower your utility costs, and all without any reduction in indoor comfort.
At GBT Heating & Cooling, we can be a cost-effective and yet immensely helpful part of our spring home maintenance routine. Simply call to schedule annual preventative maintenance for your central air system so you can look forward to a season’s worth of cool and comfortable indoor surroundings.
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