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A/C Maintenance Check List.

We recommend that a professional HVAC specialist come and service your unit for you when it is needed. However, there are some things you can do yourself to Maintain your unit and keep it working and kicking out the cool air when you need it.

Note: Turn off all power and disconnect switches before performing inspections/maintenance on the unit yourself.

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A/C Home owner Maintenance check list.

snow flake
  • Maintain records.
  • Change out the filter as often as required. (Sometimes once a month).
  • Switch to high/low returns at the start and end of winter going into spring.
  • Listen to the unit for any unusual noises and call an HVAC specialist if it is concerning.
  • Check that the drain lines are draining correctly.
  • Look for water leaks or changes in the system.
  • Clean up weeds and plants from around your unit.
  • Keep the exterior coil clean.
  • Keep the exterior unit level and away from landscaping materials.
  • Make sure the inside supply and return registers are not blocked.

Home Owner Heat Pump Maintenance Check List.

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  • Schedule professional service yearly
  • Watch for ice forming on the exterior unit.
  • Follow the maintenance recommended for the central air conditioning above.

Summer

It is gearing up to be a nice warm summer. You want to make sure that your A/C unit is working at its best. The best way to do that is to maintain your unit every year. Regular maintenance will not only keep your unit nice and cold when you need it most but, will keep it working longer.

Budgeting?

A home inspection is not only for when you are purchasing or selling a home. It can also help you know what things are happening in your home while your living there. Having a plan will help you get to where you want your home to be. A home inspection will help you form your game plan to a well maintained home for years to come.

New Home Budget

New Home Budget - Get A Home Inspection Piggy Bank

New Home Budget – Get A Home Inspection

We are often asked at Top Inspectors, “how much does the inspection cost?”. This is a valid question, especially when you are saving or preparing to buy a new home. However, the question I like to ask in return is, “how much will it cost you if you DON’T get an inspection?”. One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself and to create a new home budget is get a home inspection.

Knowledge is power, and when you are buying a home, you want as much knowledge as possible. No one wants to live in a home they know nothing about. It can be nerve wracking to be in the dark. “How long will my A/C last? When will the water heater stop working?”. These are questions that every home owner struggles with at some point. But, you don’t have to be confused or in the dark. You can take care of your home and your peace of mind at the same time!

Every responsible home owner in a new home creates a budget. The first part of that budget should be a home inspection. Don’t walk into your new home blind, take control of your future.

Specific ways a home inspection can help you budget

Saving money is great for your budget!

New Home Budget - Get A Home Inspection Green Piggy Bank and Calculator

In one of my last posts, I spoke about how much money the home owner actually saves from getting the home inspection. The amount of money saved from the knowledge gained from a home inspection would surprise you (the average is around$14,000!). You can read that article here, as well as the Porch Analysis.

Plan for the future

Obviously budgeting is all about planning. Having useful knowledge about the current condition of systems in your home can help you create a plan to replace or service systems in the future. Knowing a rough estimate of system lifespans can help tremendously when saving.

New Home Budget - Get A Home Inspection Whiteboard

Create a maintenance plan with your home inspection report

New Home Budget - Get A Home Inspection Maintenance

A good maintenance plan implemented now can save enormous headaches and costs later. Most home inspectors have a very good working knowledge of your home systems and can typically recommend good maintenance practices or programs. It is better to maintain your home now than to have to costly repairs later.

These are just a few of the many ways that home inspections can save you money. A few years back, Top Inspectors had a client call in and ask a slough of questions about home inspections. But, in the end he decided to wave the home inspection because he was trying to save money. His Real Estate agent recommended strongly that he get the home inspection, but he would not be swayed and they went through with the purchase (after he signed a waiver refusing the inspection). Within six months his HVAC system failed and it ended up costing him thousands of dollars in repairs and updates.

Get a head start on your new home budget and don’t leave it up to chance. Get a home inspection before you buy!