The large appliances and systems in our homes like furnaces, air pumps, dishwashers, and washing machines are essential to our day-to-day lives. Although these systems are so important, many homeowners do not have much of an understanding of how they work and how to maintain them. This can be dangerous because a lack of proper care can shorten the lifespan of these systems and can affect the homeowner in repair and replacement costs. Here are a few of our expert tips on how to perform proper maintenance on the systems in your home to elongate their lives and save you money!
Change Your Filters
Several large appliances throughout your home have filters, including your furnace, heat pump, dryer, and your dishwasher. One of our most valuable and easiest home maintenance tips is to simply keep on top of cleaning or replacing your filters as recommended by manufacturers.
- Furnace: Change the filter once at least every 90 days, checking it every 30 to ensure that it isn’t clogged
- Heat Pump: Change or clean your filter with a damp cloth every 90 days, checking it every 30 to ensure that it isn’t clogged
- Dryer: Empty your lint drawer with every use. Never run the dryer without emptying the lint drawer first
- Dishwasher: Take out your dishwasher’s filter every 30 days and clean it under hot running water
Run Your Dishwasher Frequently
When it comes to dishwashers, it’s important that it runs at least once a week to ensure proper function. Even if your household doesn’t often use the dishwasher, it’s in your best interest to run the system once every 7 days to ensure it stays productive and effective.
Keep Air Returns Free Of Debris
One of the most overlooked home maintenance tips is to ensure that your vent register is clean and free of debris. A clogged vent will force your furnace to work harder to warm your space, leading to quicker breakdowns and ultimately a shorter lifespan. Especially if you have pets or small children, make it a priority to ensure that your vents aren’t blocked by dust, dirt, small toys, fur, hair, or curtains.
Run A Cleaning Cycle On Your Washing Machine
The drum of your washing machine can become riddled with dirt and bacteria if left uncleaned. It may be easy to overlook because many people believe that because its job is to wash, a washing machine won’t become dirty. It’s recommended that you run a cleaning cycle for your washing machine once weekly or once bi-weekly depending on how large your household is and how often you’re doing laundry.
Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance
The best and most effective of our home maintenance tips is to call for annual preventative maintenance for the systems in your home. This includes your furnace, heat pump, boiler, fireplace, and air conditioner. Call your local HVAC dealer once a year to schedule preventative maintenance. During these appointments, the HVAC technician will clean your system and check it for disrepair, and signs of future breakdowns. Annual preventative maintenance elongates the life of your system and saves you money in repair and replacement costs.
Protect Your Home When Manufacture Warranties Won’t
Unfortunately, even well-maintained systems sometimes break down or malfunction. If you’re interested in protecting your home and its necessary appliances like its furnace, boiler, dishwasher, or dryer, it’s in your best interest to invest in a Smarter Living Plan with ZucoraHome and Hudson’s Bay Financial Services.
Our Smarter Home Living Plan will protect your home’s appliances and furniture in the event of damage, malfunction, or the need to be repaired or replaced. Have peace of mind knowing that between your proper care and maintenance of your systems and ZucoraHome that you’re prepared for anything that may go wrong with the appliances in your home.
Interested in protecting your home this winter?
Get your free Smarter Living Plan quote today!