Who doesn’t love saving a few bucks here and there? Imagine if spending a little time working on small home maintenance tasks could help keep your energy bills down and money in your bank account! These simple chores won’t take up too much of your Saturday and will absolutely pay off over time!
- Change your air filter
Believe it or not, air filters should be changed every thirty days. Once the filter starts getting clogged with dust, it will prevent your HVAC system from working properly. An inefficient system could not only affect that air quality but also the air flow. It will also drive up the cost of your electricity bill. This is a monthly maintenance step that takes less than a minute and can save you tons of money!
- Flush & clean your hot water heater
About once a year or once every other year, you should drain your hot water heater to eliminate any sediment that has built up over time. This is another appliance in your home that will cost your electricity bill to rise because of inefficiency. To flush it, you’ll need to turn off the power to it & hook up a hose to allow the water to drain. Place a loose piece of mesh, like from old pantyhose, over the end of the water hose & secure it with a rubber band. This will catch the sediment. If you’re catching more than 1 tablespoon, you might need to flush your water heater more often.
- Check for air leaks
This isn’t a common problem in new homes but can become one over time. As caulking or weather-stripping wear away throughout the year, it will need to be reapplied. If these issues aren’t addressed, air can leak through cracks in your exterior doors making your HVAC system work harder & cost you more money.
- Clean & reverse your ceiling fan
When installed, your fan blades are set at an angle. Depending on the direction your fan spins, it can either blow air down to the floor, or up to the ceiling. During the summer, you’ll want to have the fan spin counterclockwise with air being forced down. This will create a wind chill in your home and can make a room feel eight degrees. In cooler months, reverse the direction of the spin so air is forced upwards. This will pull cooler air from the room up & push warm air down. By adjusting your ceiling fans, you can keep your thermostat set at more cost-effective temperatures throughout the year.
- Clean your refrigerator coils
Again, on energy savings! Twice per year, pull that fridge away from the wall, unplug it and vacuum the coils on the backside. Dusty or dirty coils cause the generator to work harder to keep your food cold. A more efficient appliance saves you more money!
