Consider These Fall Home Maintenance Tips

South Jersey Energy Service Plus wants to remind you that Fall is the perfect time to take care of some small, but important maintenance items that can make a big difference for you and your home. By making routine maintenance part of your annual fall routine, you can identify potential problems before they arise and help prepare your home and property for what Mother Nature has to offer.

• HVAC system tune-ups are important: Annual tune-ups allow trained technicians to recognize small or potential problems, enabling them to make the proper repairs before the problem can get out of control and damage the unit. Properly maintained systems don’t have to work as hard to heat or cool your home. The less wear and tear on a unit, the longer the equipment lifespan will be. Additionally, when your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency, you can expect energy bills to remain consistent, without huge spikes in seasonal costs. Preventive maintenance is money well spent and is significantly less than facing replacement or major repairs on your system.
• Install Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors in your home: If you are burning any type of liquid or solid fuel for heating, cooking, or other uses, including natural gas, propane, wood, oil, or gasoline, you should have CO detectors installed in your home. Fuel-burning appliances that are properly tested, installed, and maintained are generally safe to use, but in the event of a clogged exhaust vent or any part of the appliance failing, hazardous levels of carbon monoxide can be released. Recommendations for CO detectors are similar to those for smoke alarms. At a minimum, each home should have one CO detector on each floor, one in or just outside each sleeping area, and one in the basement. If you already have CO detectors, this is a good time to check and replace the batteries.
• Dryer vents need to be cleaned yearly Dryer fires are a real and very scary hazard, and they most often originate in the metal tube between your dryer and the wall. Cleaning your dryer vent not only helps to prevent a fire, but can also extend the life of your appliance. Excess lint and debris can cause build up in your dryer and result in the appliance overworking itself to perform its intended function. Have you noticed heavy clothes such as towels or jeans requiring a longer dry time? Have clothes been coming out of the dryer hotter than normal? If so, it is possible that you have a clogged dryer vent requiring attention.
• Change your air filters regularly: Air filters play an important role in filtering out the natural particulates and pollution in your home. Not only is it important to check your filter monthly to maintain good air quality, it is essential to extend the lifespan of your equipment. Changing your air filter regularly–before it becomes clogged–allows air to pass through the filter easily, preventing undo stress on your HVAC equipment. Dirty air filters cause your heating equipment or air conditioner to work harder in order to pull air into the system. This extra energy required means not only higher energy bills, but also potentially expensive equipment repairs.

Remember, when your home’s HVAC system needs expert attention, you can depend on the technicians from South Jersey Energy Service Plus. Schedule your service appointment today by calling 888-246-2610, or by contacting us online.