When most homeowners think of home maintenance chores they think of such things as cleaning the gutters, caulking the windows, repairing a leaky faucet, oiling a squeaky cabinet hinge, or tightening up a loose doorknob. But home maintenance also applies to your home appliances. Keeping those well maintained can ensure that they last longer, look their best, and deliver optimum performance without unnecessarily taxing your utilities and raising your monthly energy costs.

Here are three suggestions to help you create your own appliance maintenance checklist:

* Clothes Dryer:

One of the easiest home maintenance chores also happens to be one of the most important, because cleaning the lint filter and vent on your clothes dryer can help you prevent a house fire. Sometimes lint will build up in a machine and then combust due to heat from an overworked motor or damaged wire. So train everyone in the home to clean the lint screen before turning on the dryer. This simple procedure is explained in the owner’s manual and usually takes not more than 30 seconds to do. If clothes are not drying as they should it might also be because the outside air vent is blocked with lint. In that case check the outlet where the clothes dryer vents the warm air outdoors. It is usually covered by a plastic or metal hooded flap. If there is lots of lint on the flap or inside the pipe that leads to it then it is time to clean out that vent pipe or replace it with a newer and safer one.

* Air Conditioning System:

When it comes to air conditioners, most homeowners inadvertently waste huge amounts of money while also working way too hard to stay cool and comfortable. That’s because most air conditioners have inexpensive filters that need to be cleaned or replaced regularly, but many homeowners seldom, if ever, do this easy maintenance task.

The A/C filter usually looks kind of like a large paper or aluminum picture frame about an inch thick that holds synthetic fibers or a cardboard honeycomb to trap dust, dirt, and lint. They sell for just a few bucks and can be purchased at any home improvement store. But dirty ones dramatically reduce the ability of the A/C unit to cool the home while they simultaneously cause you to use more electricity to run the air conditioner. So dirty air filters cost you double, whereas clean ones are relatively cheap and will ensure that you stay comfortable and that the air conditioner last longer without costly repairs.

* Appliance Settings:

Another really easy way to save some serious cash is to monitor the settings on the appliances in your home. Maintaining them on energy-saving settings ensures that you don’t pay more than necessary to operate them, and it also helps to reduce your carbon footprint and conserve our natural resources. You can adjust settings on the dishwasher, for example, to let dishes dry by themselves instead of using the automatic drying setting which burns more energy. Or you can be sure that you only use the energy necessary when you wash small loads of dishes or do a light load of laundry in the washing machine. That saves on water bills as well as gas or electricity bills, and it is another environmentally responsible habit. The same goes for the water heater and the refrigerator. Adjust those appliance settings so that the water is hot enough to suit you but not any hotter than it needs to be, for example, and that the fridge is cold enough to keep foods and beverages nicely but is not colder than necessary. If you go on vacation be sure to take advantage of the vacation setting on your water heater, too, because that will ensure that the appliance doesn’t keep reheating water (and costing you extra money) the whole time you are gone.

Of course every major appliance in your home deserves a little routine maintenance, so consult the owner’s manuals for these units. Then use a calendar to remind yourself when it is time to check them. The time it takes to keep appliances in tip-top shape amounts to just a few minutes a month, on average, but it can save you a substantial amount of money in terms of energy bills

Most of the USA is suffering from unusually hot weather, and those scorching temperatures don’t just take a toll on people but they can also stress a residential building. So it is good idea for homeowners to keep an eye on their properties while also keeping some unique and helpful hot weather maintenance tips in mind. Here are a few items to put on the home maintenance checklist for the especially hot and humid time of year:

Air conditioning systems are especially overworked this time of year, so it is important to check them on a regular basis to make sure they are in good condition and are functioning in an energy efficient way.

• If there is a unit with a fan on top of it outside, for example, keep the fan grill free of debris such as leaves or branches.

• Trim the landscape around A/C units so that summer weeds and tall grasses don’t encroach, and also make sure that there are no drainage problems that might cause standing water near the unit.

• Anytime the unit makes loud noises or shows signs of rust, have it checked by an HVAC contractor to make sure it is working properly. If the unit is too old replacing it may be the right thing to do because inefficiently working air conditioners create much higher utility bills.

• Window units should be checked to make sure they are not creating moisture that is causing damage to a window frame or sill, porch, or the siding of your house. A/C filters should also be inspected and cleaned or replaced as needed.

• A dirty filter not only impedes efficiency to make it harder to cool your home but it can also create airborne dust, allergens, or mold that can be bad for your health and aggravate those annoying allergies.

Speaking of health, harsh UV rays from scorching sunshine can affect the outside of your house just like they can cause skin damage to people who sunbathe without protection at the beach. So toward the end of summer is an ideal time to look for signs of sun damage around your home.

Walk around the outside and give the paint job a close inspection. On parts of the exterior where there is less shade and the most exposure to direct sunlight you may find sections of peeling and blistering paint. That kind of paint problem can be caused by sun breaking down the chemical components of the paint over time. There are some brands and formulas of paint that are more resistance to harmful UV rays, so if you decide to repaint you may want to invest in that type of paint. But peeling and blistering is also caused by not using the right kind of paint or not priming the subsurface properly.

If it has been an especially rainy summer then the gutters also deserve a closer look. Keeping them structurally supported and clean helps to preserve the whole house, because when large amounts of rainwater cannot drain through the gutter system water seeks the path of least resistance. That could be through your roof, for example, or down the side of your house where the water can damage exterior walls. Also check around the whole property for especially muddy spots that may indicate a lack of proper drainage. These are especially critical around structures like a garage or shed because poor drainage can undermine the foundation and cause serious damage.

But standing water also invites mosquitoes, and everyone knows how quickly they can spoil a summer day or outdoor entertainment. After every rain it is a good idea to police the area and dump out any collected water from items like empty gardening pots or trash cans. If you have a water feature like a fountain you may want to buy special anti-mosquito pellets or add some household bleach to the water to keep it free of larvae.

Always be careful, however, when using any chemical or bleaches around the house. A small amount of bleach could kill your aquatic plants or goldfish, for example, and drinking standing water that has chemicals in it could harm your pets or even small children who like to play in muddles.

So always read labels carefully, take appropriate precautions, and don’t take any chances. Call in a professional whenever you have a question or doubt.

Although we would all prefer to spend each and every one of our summer weekends relaxing on the beach, golf course, or around the outdoor grill, the warm weather also provides an excellent opportunity for doing outdoor chores. So set aside a little time, at least, to devote to routine annual or semi-annual home maintenance projects.

To make the endeavor more useful, satisfying, and productive, plan your home maintenance projects with some expert tips in mind. If you have a copy of the home inspection report you got when you hired an inspector before buying your home, take it out and give it a quick read. There may be some comments or notes from the inspector regarding recommended home maintenance procedures. Highlight those with a marker, and make a checklist of ones that should be done in the summertime.

You will want to concentrate on the outdoors, naturally, because during the rest of the year those tasks may be harder to do thanks to shorter days and colder temperatures. Plus it is much more fun to be outside during the summer, so you can combine work with pleasure – especially if you mix up a refreshing pitcher of iced tea or lemonade to keep you hydrated while you’re working.

Check painted surfaces for peeling, cracking, or blistering. Sometimes painting the trouble spots on a home or garage can help prolong the life of a paint job and reduce the number of times you have to repaint your whole house. Make sure the gutters are clear and that they drain away from the foundation of your home, too, because summer thunderstorms can produce dramatic amount of potentially damaging rainfall runoff. Also visually inspect the roof to see if any shingles are curled, misshapen, or missing. Those might be easy to repair or replace, but if you neglect them they could wind up costing you an entire roof replacement or expensive water damage inside the home.

Do a walk-around to inspect the perimeter of the home. You should look for any termite tracks along the foundation. These are thin, tiny trails of dirt shaped like branches. If you aren’t sure how to identify them, have a termite inspector show you examples so that you can be on the lookout for these telltale signs of trouble. You should also learn to accurately identify carpenter ants and wood-boring bees, because these insects can also do a tremendous amount of damage to your home. A good inspector can check for these and also show you what to look for so that you can do regular spot checks on your own.

Be sure to keep your air conditioning system or heat pump filters clean, and keep the HVAC fan outdoors free of leaves and other debris. Everything grows faster this time of year, too. So keep bushes, weeds, tree limbs, and even flowerbeds and mulch trimmed or manicured away from your home and foundation.

Here’s the easiest and most pleasant summer chore of all. Stand beneath the shade trees on your property and while looking up into the leaves and branches, check for dead limbs. A sudden gust of wind or an ice storm next winter could send those crashing down, so if you find evidence of dead, diseased, or rotten limbs have the trees inspected and treated or trimmed.

Also, before stepping on the ladder, cranking up the hedge trimmer, picking up a paint brush, or doing anything involving home maintenance – be sure to practice safety first. Too many homeowners cut corners on simple safety procedures and wind up making unfortunate trips to the emergency room – which is no way to spend a bright and sunny summer afternoon. Take your time and protect yourself – because nothing is more valuable than your good health and the health and safety of those around you.

Use OSHA-approved safety glasses to protect your eyes, wear cotton or leather gloves to help avoid blisters, cracks, and abrasions on your hands, and wear an appropriate dust mask or respirator when working around chemicals, dust, or other products that could be potentially hazardous when inhaled. Sturdy footwear is a must – otherwise you could twist and ankle or step on something sharp and get injured – and if you’re going to be exposed to poison ivy or other toxic plants then wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Sunscreen and a hat with a brim or visor are also important to protect you from harmful UV rays.

The effort you make will pay off throughout the year by keeping your home in tip-top condition and ensuring that it performs as it should. A home that performs well is less expensive in terms of repairs and utility bills, so that will keep your overall homeowner costs to a minimum.

Anyone who is smart will be careful to eat right, exercise on a regular basis, and consult a health care professional whenever they notice any unusual symptoms or just need to get a thorough checkup to stay informed and aware. In the same way, wise homeowners should also practice prudent home maintenance and consult a professional inspector whenever necessary to get an accurate picture of the condition of the property and be alerted to any necessary repairs or maintenance issues.

Otherwise, just as it happens with our health and our bodies, if home maintenance is ignored or neglected it will eventually lead to more serious and expensive problems. As the old saying goes, and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and that is certainly the case when it comes to taking care of a valuable real estate investment.

Take a really simple example, for instance, of a stain on the ceiling of the living room. Unless it becomes too unsightly, many homeowners might put off having it repainted. But an inspector will see that spot as an outward symptom of a problem worthy of investigation, and by looking deeper he or she will likely find a faulty plumbing pipe, a leaking roof, or moisture that is being trapped between the floors of the home to create potentially dangerous mildew and mold.

A surprising number of homeowners do not know, for example, where to find or how to replace the filters on their air conditioning units. The filters cost just a few bucks each, and they should be replaced at least twice a year, if not more, in order to ensure that they continue to keep the system flowing freely and working at peak performance. Taking out the old filter and putting in a new one usually takes about five minutes or less. But lots of homeowners wind up with extraordinarily high utility bills or damaged central air conditioning units – which can costs thousands of dollars to replace – just because of dirty filters.

There are also landscape issues to consider – like keeping bushes from growing too close to the sides of the house where they can attract pests, cause accumulated moisture, or weaken the foundation. Drainage sloped the wrong way can be easy to remedy – or if it is left unchecked it can cause rotten siding, eroded foundations, and flooded basements. Even home maintenance of trees on a property can lead to structural damage or even a serious injury – and if dead limbs fall across the property line you could wind up getting sued for damage done to a neighbor’s home or to city owned property.

The list of potential issues that can result from a lack of home maintenance is practically endless, but the good news is that most routine maintenance is both simple and inexpensive. If you spend just an hour or two a month to monitor your property and review a home maintenance checklist it can save time and money while also adding invaluable peace of mind and security. Many types of maintenance tasks can be done by the homeowner – even without special skills or training – and the results of this kind of oversight are reflected in pride of ownership and a better looking and more enjoyable home for you and your family. If you are planning to sell, those small home maintenance chores will pay off in a big way by contributing to your home’s curb appeal and equity – and by making a strong positive impression on Realtors, potential buyers, mortgage appraisers and buyer-hired building inspectors.

Of course most people are not adept at the kinds of tasks that a contractor or handyman might do, and many homeowners who want to do a good job of home maintenance are frustrated by the fact that they just do not know where to begin or what to do. That’s why it is so important to take advantage of the expertise of a home inspection pro when purchasing a home. The inspector not only takes note of any potential problems, but if you sit down and talk with the inspector you can learn a tremendous amount about the way to property and professionally take care of your home and all of its various components and systems. The inspector can point out sections of the printed inspection report – which you get to keep for your own records – that include maintenance checklists. You can find out how and when to conduct your routine maintenance, and what to do if you notice anything out of the ordinary that might deserve a closer investigation.