Cooperative Living May 2021 - 23

FixerUpper | Story Courtesy of StatePoint Media
Spring Maintenance
Checklist for Homeowners
A
s the weather warms, there are a few maintenan
e
the weather warms, ther
re
OUTDOOR UPKEEP
* Wash window exteriors for a better
view.
* Clean gutters and downspouts to
ensure proper water flow. Neglecting
this task for too long can cause rot,
mold and damage to your foundation.
* Get your patio or deck in tip-top
shape for outdoor living. Sweep
and hose it down. Remove patio
furnishings from storage. Wipe
down surfaces and vacuum cushions
(or launder them if they're machine
washable).
* Inspect lawn equipment and tools
for needed maintenance, repair
and fuel refills.
* Mow the lawn. Trim the edges.
* After the next rainfall, inspect
your yard for standing water, which
can damage your home and invite
mosquitoes. Consider hiring a
landscaper to level out an uneven
lawn.
few maintenance tasks
ks
very homeowner should consider completing. Use this
checklist as your guide:
every homeowner should consider completing. Us
HVAC MAINTENANCE
* Change HVAC filters at least once
each season (ideally monthly). Dirty
filters make equipment work harder
and cause more wear and tear on
equipment. They also increase your
energy bill and lessen indoor air
quality.
* According to Energy Star, 20-30% of
the air that moves through the duct
system of a typical home is lost due
to leaks, holes and poorly connected
ducts. Consider professional duct
sealing for improved energy efficiency
and lower bills.
* Check to see whether your furnaces
and air conditioners bear the Energy
Star logo. If not, consider a new unit.
A properly sized and installed Energy
Star air conditioner uses up to 20%
less electricity than older models,
and doing so may make you eligible
for a federal tax credit.
* Have a technician give your home's
cooling system a preseason tune-up so
that everything is running efficiently
by the time warmer weather arrives.
You know the " personality " of your
heating or cooling unit best, so be
prepared to provide the technician
with important information. No
fact is insignificant, as it may help
diagnose and fix a problem.
* Be sure that all HVAC installation
and maintenance is performed only by
a qualified professional. Read company
reviews and ask the contractor if they
have technicians certified by North
American Technician Excellence.
NATE-certified technicians have
demonstrated knowledge of today's
increasingly sophisticated heating
and cooling systems.
co-opliving.com
SAFETY
* Carbon monoxide, often referred
to as the " silent killer, " is odorless,
colorless and tasteless. Protect your
family by changing the batteries on
your carbon monoxide detectors and
ensuring you have a detector on each
level of your home. When changing
a furnace filter, make sure the new
filter is correctly positioned and the
access panel is securely fastened.
Have your home's furnace inspected
and serviced annually by a NATEcertified
technician.
* Likewise, test all the smoke alarms
in your home and replace batteries as
needed. The National Fire Protection
Association recommends smoke
alarms on every level of the home,
including every sleeping room and
outside each separate sleeping area.
A little seasonal maintenance can
go a long way toward a safer, more
beautiful and more eco-friendly home. ■
To find a NATE-certified technician
in your area, visit natex.org.
May 2021 | Cooperative Living | 21
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Cooperative Living May 2021

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