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Step 1
Check your mechanical systems annually. Air conditioners and furnaces function more economically when you have a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals inspect (including carbon monoxide) and clean your equipment at least once a year. Your ongoing maintenance should include changing the furnace filter according to the filter manufacturer's instructions (even in the summer because the blower on your furnace is what's circulating the cooled air).
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Step 2
If the paint on your home's wood trim or the fences on your property are peeling, repaint with an exterior grade paint after cleaning and scraping. Peeling paint is an eyesore and makes properties look rundown. Since paint is very inexpensive and easy for a "do-it-yourself-er," keep cans in your colors on hand for quick touch ups as peeling starts to occur.
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Step 3
Caulk sinks, tubs, and areas where counter tops meet the wall. Sealing these open areas keeps water from causing unnecessary structural damage and introducing mold into your home.
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Step 4
Install reversible ceiling fans in the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, but only run them when people are in the rooms. Remember, warm air rises and cool air falls. With that in mind, use the switch on the fan's housing to change the blade's rotation in response to the season. Your home will feel more comfortable and you're less likely to change the thermostat.
- SPRING & SUMMER: Set the rotation so the leading edge of blade is high. This will push warm air up to the ceiling and force cool air down.
- FALL & WINTER: Set the rotation so the leading edge of the blade is low. This will push cool air up to the ceiling and force warm air down. -
Step 5
Check all types of exterior vents for bird and animal nesting. Your local home improvement store carries many types of cages for installation over vents on the side and the roof of your home.
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Step 6
Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after every load and check the outside vent while your clothes dryer is operating to make sure exhaust is exiting your home correctly. Also, check for and clean any lint accumulation at both ends of the dryer's duct. If your dryer is running hotter than usual or taking an inordinate amount of time to dry a load of clothes, this may indicate the duct is filling up with lint.
Comments
pennynickols said
on 8/27/2009 Thanks boatst for reading "How to Choose Home Improvement Projects that are Easy and Save Money." I hope you'll save some money using some of the suggestions.
boatst said
on 8/26/2009 Good advice on home improvement . Thanks