You can spend a lot of money maintaining your house. But are you spending more than necessary? Here are a few common ways that homeowners make expensive mistakes.
Do you have a leaking faucet?
You may only see a few drops here or there. But one drop per second adds up to more than 3,000 gallons in just one year. In some towns that can add up to a lot more than the necessary repair. And if you have a running toilet, it will waste a lot more.
Do you change the air filter in your furnace?
They should be changed every month. But rarely do you use the air conditioning or heating during three or four month, so you probably only need to change them eight times per year. But by not changing the filters regularly, you force the unit to work a lot harder than it should, which uses more energy. It can also wear out the unit prematurely. Remember, filters can be bought for under $1.00 each. Change them. And make sure you have the proper size.
Do you still have incandescent light bulbs?
If yes, replace them now with LED bulbs. They will pay for themselves very quickly, and will last, it seems, forever. If you have compact fluorescent bulbs, the LED bulbs also cost less to operate.
Do you a newer thermostat?
If you have one of the older models, change it out. Very simple, all you need is a screwdriver. The newer models work on a narrower temperature range, which means they cycle more often, and this save energy. Also newer models can be programmed to turn on and off as your schedule dictates.
Is your hot water heater set too high?
The thermostat on the hot water heater is marked, set the temperature as suggested. If you go away for a few days, turn the temp to vacation mode.
Do your doors and windows leak air?
I periodically walk through the house with a candle on a windy day. If I see the flame flicker around windows or doors, I try to find the leak. Then I plug the leak with weather stripping or caulk. A little time and a few dollars invested can provide a great return on that small investment.
If you just try a few of these hints, you may see a noticeable change in your expenses. Questions or comments? Call me.
Art Reiman – Realtor 732-598-7700