End of Summer Home Maintenance (for the Interior)

7 Home Maintenance Tips

Last week, we got our hands and knees dirty with tips on how to perform exterior home maintenance from preparing your driveway for the fall to inspecting your roof for any damage caused by summer storms. If you missed out, be sure to check it out – you don’t want to forgo completing these important exterior home maintenance tasks! This week, we’re taking on a part two edition with end of the summer maintenance tips for the interior of your home. With Labor Day being just around the corner, you’ll have extra time to knock it all out!

Clean Air Vents & Registers

All summer long, your air vents and registers have been building up a slew of dust and allergens. Every time you turn the air conditioning on, particles are propelled back into the room. When dust is excessive, your heating and cooling system will have to work harder to keep up with your demands, increasing energy costs. When cleaning covers, or performing any type of home maintenance task that involves cleaning, always wear protection to ensure the dust doesn’t get into your eyes, nose, mouth, etc. If you want to soak the covers, only use hot water as prolonged exposure to soap will tear the paint off.

Clean Windows

Since the weather is still nice out, it’s the perfect time to clean both sides of your windows. During the cooler weather, this will allow for more solar energy to enter the house, which will help keep it warmer, saving you on energy costs.

Replace Furnace Filters

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to change your air filter. A dirty air filter will force your system to work harder to maintain the same temperature. Regularly changing your air filter will help to avoid costly repairs.

Tips on Better IAQ

How to Change Your Furnace Filter

Inspect Your Attic

With the temperatures being milder than usual, inspecting your attic shouldn’t be that bad. In this home maintenance task, you’ll want to look rot or mold. If you do find areas that have been infected, be sure to give our IAQ experts a call as soon as possible! Additionally, how well your attic is insulated will have an effect on its temperature. If your attic insulation was installed improperly, it could have a huge impact on your heating and cooling costs.

Painting 

Now is the time to get any interior painting done as it’s still fairly nice out, so you can keep the windows open for added ventilation. Being exposed to paint fumes for too long without fresh air could be damaging to your health.

Reverse Overhead Fans

While you’re in the process of reversing your patio ceiling fans, go ahead and do the same to your indoor ceiling fans. In the winter, your ceiling fan should rotate clockwise at a low speed to pull the cool air up.

Test Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors 

Fires can occur at any time, however, they tend to increase during the fall and winter months. Test each detector to ensure it’s working properly. The last think you want is to have a fire break out and your detectors not go off.

How to Test Your Detectors

Between the interior and exterior of your home, you’ve got some home maintenance work cut out for you, but rest assured you’ll be thankful once it’s all done. A safer, more energy efficient home will ensure your peace of mind. And, of course, don’t forget to schedule your furnace tune-up as soon as possible! The colder months aren’t too far away now, so give Interstate a call at 405-794-8900.

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900. For more info on maintaining a safe and energy-efficient home, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Don’t forget to schedule your air conditioning tune-up for summer! Schedule service online or give us a call!