Many residents face seasonal cleaning and repairs including thermostat placement with the same drudgery as paying bills the first of each month. Most homeowners and renters don’t understand that a few simple upgrades and a little preventative maintenance can keep money in the pocket where it belongs.
Suppose the homeowner replaced the weather stripping around the windows last fall. He – or she – cleaned the gutters and drained the hot water heater so sediment would not accumulate at the bottom of the tank. What else could possibly be draining money from his pocket?
Kitchens, Baths, Thermostat Placement Drain Money from a Household Budget
Minor tweaks and repairs can add up to huge savings in the long run. For example, most everyone knows that adjusting a thermostat placement by only one or two degrees saves money, but how many people know that changing from a mechanical thermostat placement to an electric type thermostat placement saves additional dollars?
Other sources that waste money may or may not be so obvious. Some repairs may require professional skills while others are basic do-it-yourself jobs.
Refrigerator. Vacuum dust from the coils so the motor will run more efficiently. Make sure the rubber seals around the doors are pliable and seal tightly. Damaged seals allow cold air to escape, causing the compressor to run harder. Close the door on a dollar bill and see if it stays or not. If it falls, then replace the seal. Energy used needlessly equals money burned.
Drips. Put off fixing leaky faucets or a running toilet and the cost of procrastination will appear on the next water bill.
Septic Systems. Use a septic treatment regularly to reduce the rate of sludge buildup. Avoid pouring bleach and anti-bacterial soaps down the drain, as these can destroy beneficial bacteria in the system. Have the unit maintained to prevent costly backup and overflow.
Clean Bathrooms Regularly. Mildew buildup, lime scale, and soap scum require weekly attention to prevent buildup. Excessive problems require cleaners, and even organic materials cost money. Routine cleaning takes a lot less product (and energy) and therefore takes less money.
Washers, Dryers, Stoves, Dishwashers. Clean vents, exhaust fans, lint traps, and any place where debris or sediment deposits can build up and cause an appliance to work harder. If any appliances need replacing, purchase energy efficient models to save more money.
Living Areas and Bedrooms Can Pilfer Hard-Earned Money
One can save funds on heating and cooling with the simple flip of a switch on a ceiling fan. To reduce stress, clean the house. Make a family project out of cleaning so the work gets done much faster.
Kitchens and bathrooms are not the only money-draining culprits; bedrooms and living areas are guilty, too.
Insulated Drapes. Keep room temperatures stable in any season with efficient window treatments.
Heating and A/C Systems. A call to service these units for seasonal maintenance may prevent costly repairs later on.
Air Filters. Change filters as required to keep central heat and air units running efficiently. The same goes for window air conditioners. Clogged filters force units to run longer and harder.
Ceiling Fans. Blades should turn counterclockwise for cool air (summer), and clockwise for winter to distribute warm air from heating units. Clean the blades regularly for optimal efficiency. According to the online source, Ceiling Fan Wizard, “Your energy costs could be reduced as much as 40% in the summer months and 10% in the winter months.”
Light Bulbs. Replace old incandescent bulbs with new energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. Eartheasy Web site, “Energy Efficient Lighting,” states, “CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to ten times longer than incandescents.”
Clutter and Dirt. A dirty home is depressing and causes stress. If one is taking medication to counteract the stress and moodiness, then the source of the problem is costing money.
Pest Control. Schedule an inspection for termites, spiders, and anything else that crawls in attics, basements, or behind walls. It’ll cost a lot less now for preventive maintenance than it will to fix structural damages later on.
Preventive home maintenance saves dollars. A home is a costly investment, so why pay for unnecessary repairs when making a few changes can save hundreds of dollars? Apartment dwellers and other renters can save money by keeping self-owned appliances running smoothly and reporting to the management any faulty units that are property-owned.
Pest Control. Schedule an inspection for termites, spiders, and anything else that crawls in attics, basements, or behind walls. It’ll cost a lot less now for preventive maintenance than it will to fix structural damages later on.
Small differences can save big money, such as hanging thermal window treatments and using ceiling fans to distribute heat in the winter. A little effort on the resident’s part can make a significant savings to the budget and keep the dollars where they belong.
