Stay Warm & Save Money This Fall/Winter

by Shana Fong on September 27, 2010
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Fall is the perfect time to start prepping your house for winter. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests these 5 steps to ensure that your home stays comfortable this winter without costing you an arm and a leg:

  1. Look for rebates from your utility or state. Recurve has put together a handy resource for available incentives on our website.
  2. Get an energy audit. In order to know how to save energy, you have to first find out where you are losing energy – and money.
  3. Have your heating system serviced. Keep your system operating efficiently, and don’t forget to replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
  4. Find and seal your air leaks. This includes less obvious gaps such as recessed lights and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  5. Check your insulation and add more as needed. Insulation is often the most cost-effective energy improvement you can make in your home.

Helpful Seasonal Home Maintenance Calendar

by Shana Fong on January 20, 2010
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Here’s a helpful checklist of things to do around the house, according to season:

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

  • Clean or replace furnace filter
  • Check/clean heat recovery ventilator; wash or replace filter
  • Clean humidifier
  • Clean range hood filter
  • Check basement floor drain

MARCH/APRIL

  • Clean or replace furnace filter
  • Check/clean heat recovery ventilator; wash or replace filter
  • Clean humidifier
  • Check sump pump
  • Check gutters and downspouts and clean if needed
  • Inspect air conditioning; service as needed (usually every two or three years)
  • Inspect basement or crawl space for signs of seepage/leakage
  • Ensure that ground slopes away from foundation wall

MAY/JUNE

  • Clean windows, screens and hardware; install screens
  • Check that air intake and exhausts are clear of debris, nests, etc.
  • Clean range hood filter
  • Undertake spring landscape maintenance; fertilize young trees

JULY/AUGUST

  • Air out damp basements on dry days or use dehumidifier
  • For central air conditioning, clean filter in air handling unit
  • Check exterior finishes
  • Check exterior wood for deterioration
  • Check caulking and weatherstripping, including around entry door from garage and house
  • Check basement floor drain trap; replenish if needed
  • Have furnace/heating system serviced (every two years for an electric furnace)

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

  • Check fireplace and chimney; service or clean if needed
  • Clean range hood filter
  • Clean leaves out of eavestroughs
  • Check roofing and flashing for signs of wear or damage
  • Close windows, skylights
  • Winterize landscaping

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

  • Clean or replace furnace filter
  • Check or clean heat recovery ventilator; wash or replace filter
  • Clean humidifier
  • Check exhaust fans