WINTER: HOME MAINTENANCE

Here is a home maintenance checklist for Winter season:

• Get your HAVC tuned up

• Install a smart thermostat

• Conduct a home energy audit

• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement

• Check the water heater for leaks

• Check the fireplace for damage or hazards and clean fireplace flues. Have your fireplace professionally inspected

• Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated areas and garage

• Drain and winterize exterior plumbing, including hoses and in-ground sprinkler systems

  • Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping; replace if necessary

  • Replace old, drafty windows for more energy-efficient models

  • Vacuum lint from the dryer vent

  • Practice pest prevention by keeping firewood away from the house, trimming shrubs, and repairing rotten or broken woodwork. Remove any wasp nests hanging from eaves or overhangs

This checklist is provided by Better Homes & Gardening

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• Archer High School

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• McConnell Middle School

• Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups, make it easier to regulate your home's temperature, and ultimately decrease energy bills.

• Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.

• Inspect tub and sink drains for debris; unclog if necessary.

• Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and all ground-fault circuit interrupters. Check the gauge and expiration date on fire extinguishers.

• Inspect electrical cords for wear.

• Vacuum heat registers and heat vents.

• Check that indoor and outdoor air vents are not blocked.

• Flush out hot water from the water heater to remove accumulated sediment.

• Clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.

This checklist is provided by Better Homes & Gardening