As the Christmas season rolls around and we busy ourselves with Christmas shopping, parties and house decorating, don’t forget your house on your shopping list. Just what does your house want for Christmas anyway? More blow up yard Santa’s? How about passing by the isle of inflatable Christmas gear and instead finding something that will actually benefit you and your house as well. Here is your houses Christmas wish list:
1. Air Filters – Your house would love new air filters, yes, all of them. You should change them out every 3 months or sooner depending on how much your system has been running. Changing your filters is one of the simplest ways to prolong the life of your HVAC system. And don’t buy the cheap ones, get the best ones you can find, remember, this is a Christmas present.
2. Buy at least one compact fluorescent light bulb, and install it in a light fixture that you use for at least 3 hours a day. Your house has been looking for a reason to start on a diet. A little nudge from you is just what it needs.
3. Next, go home and spend at least 30 minutes in your attic and under your house taking stock of your insulation. Do you have enough? Is it installed properly? Is it missing all together? You might be surprised at what you find. A little warm and cuddly insulation is always a great gift.
4. While you are under the house, take a look and see if your pipes are completely covered with pipe insulation or are there bits and pieces missing? Although pipe insulation under the house is not required, it helps to prevent heat loss on your hot water pipes and let’s not forget that it can help keep your pipes from freezing in extreme temperatures. Pipe insulation is required in your garage, so if this is where your hot water heat is, check it as well.
5. Close your foundation vents. We live in a mixed humid environment, there really is no good time of the year for your foundation vents to be open. Your house will appreciate it.
6. Finally, go through your house and make sure all the windows are locked. This may seem like a strange way to save money but a window that is locked is shut properly and has a proper seal against the outdoor elements. That way you know that the windows are at least shut as tightly as they can be.
With a small outlay of cash and just a little work you could have at least your house knocked off your Christmas shopping list. You will save money and your house will love all the gifts and your effort. How do I know that it will? Trust me, I know houses.
