Our home systems do a lot more than we tend to give them credit for. They work behind the scenes nonstop, and we often forget to check to make sure they are in good shape until it is too late. These seasonal maintenance tips will allow your home system to continue to run smoothly and prevent any possible mishaps or breakdowns in the future.

Plumbing Maintenance:

To avoid any water damage and to ensure your water is always running be sure to monitor your plumbing regularly:

• If you have a garbage disposal, be careful about what you decide to put down your disposal. Before rinsing discard any oils, fats and grease.
• To prevent clogging use drain strainers to catch things such as hair, food, etc. If you begin to notice any clogging try to avoid using the store-bought solutions and try a natural remedy instead. Store bought solutions can actually cause corrosion and damage over time.Natural remedy is baking soda and vinegar. Pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain first, followed by a half cup of vinegar.
• To save energy and prevent burns set your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
• Prevent frozen pipes and subsequent water damage in your house by disconnecting hoses and shutting off the water valve.
• Insulate pipes that don’t receive heat and/or are located on an external wall. You can also leave cabinet doors open so that your home’s residual heat can work to prevent the pipe from freezing. If you aren’t sure how to do this, don’t hesitate to contact your local plumber to get the job done.  

HVAC Maintenance:

Your HVAC is what keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so it’s important to make sure it is in great shape:

• Rotate your ceiling fan blades during the different seasons. In the cooler months rotate them clockwise and counterclockwise during the warmer months to keep the air moving in a direction that lessens the amount of work your HVAC system will have to do.
• Clear any debris from outdoor units to make sure they can run smoothly.
• Caulk and seal any openings you notice around your home. This can be in windows or cracks in the walls. Openings in your home will allow air to escape and it can cost you more money to try and keep your home cool and warm. Again, it will also make your HVAC work harder.
•  Have professional maintenance inspections done twice a year once in the spring and once in the fall. These are the best times to have them done before it gets too hot or cold.
• Clean or replace your air filters as needed, some air filters may need to be changed or replaced monthly, or once every 3 months. If you have pets, it’s suggested you do so more frequently. Whatever your case may be, make sure you take time to see what your system needs to help it run the best it can.
• Check out your thermostat settings and adjust it to work as efficiently as possible. Set it to use less energy while you are away and then to return to a more suitable temperature when you are home again.

Electrical System Maintenance:

The electrical system needs to function properly to avoid any possible Hazards:

• Replace light bulbs that have burned out. Ensure that you are using the correct wattage to avoid burnout and higher bills.
• Check your wall outlets and appliance plugs to ensure compatibility.
• Do routine circuit breaker checks every couple of months to test that it is working correctly.
• Keep electrical appliances away from any water sources and store them away in areas that aren’t at risk for becoming damp.
• Take a look at any exposed wire or cords for any damage. If you come across any that are, get rid of them and replace them. You may want to hire an electrician to perform this, in addition to Testing your outlets to make sure they are functioning properly.

There are numerous things our home systems do that we often take for granted until something comes up. Taking the time to check on these things every so often will help keep your home and its systems functioning properly.