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Services: Summer Checklist

The kids are out of school, vacation planning is underway and the hot, humid weather of summer is here. While many families may not have time for home maintenance in their busy summer schedules, those who ditch preventative measures often end up shelling out big bucks for extensive replacement or repair that could have been avoided.

“The summer season is the best opportunity to get outside and give your home a good once over,”

said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), the nation’s leading provider of ratings and reviews of local service companies. “In addition to money savings, maintenance performed during the warmest time of year can help keep your home cool and comfortable.”

Angie’s List went to the experts to develop a list offering simple ways homeowners can save money this summer.

HOME MAINTENANCE

• Check your insulation: Insulation is a great cost effective way to lower cooling costs. If your attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, now is a great time to upgrade. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests a value between R-30 and R-60 in the attic.
• Service your air conditioner: If you haven’t called a professional yet, now is the time. Also, inspect your air filters every other month: Replace your dirty air filters to save even more by keeping your A/C running at top efficiency.
• Apply weatherstripping to window and doors: Cold air can escape through cracks. Caulk around windows and doors as needed.
• Check your home and garage for any signs of insect damage: July is the height of insect season and a good time to look for signs of termites or other pests that could harm your home. Getting rid of them early can save you big bucks down the road.

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

• Inspect your roof: When shingles are old and worn out, they lose their waterproofing effectiveness. If your roof is 15 years old or more, check it for signs of problems. It may be time for a new roof if the corners of the shingles peel up at the edge and you can see the underlying roof.
• Clutter free gutters: Take a look at your gutters. They should be clear of leaves and debris. Extra weight in your gutters can cause them to pull away from your home.
• Check your trees: The summer storm season can cause limbs to fall, often landing on other trees, homes and cars. Take a look at your trees and/or consult with a professional tree service. Doing so will help determine potential weaknesses and dangers. They will look for signs of potential hazards such as stress cracks, weak branches, and hollow or decayed areas.

• Pressure wash the deck: A good pressure washing on your deck can remove dirt, mold and mildew. The pressure washer is a great tool, but think twice before you DIY - many surfaces can be easily damaged by an inexperienced user.

APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE

• Check your home security: Test your alarm before you head out on vacation. If you don’t have an alarm system, make sure all your locks work on doors and windows.
• Switch ceiling fan blades: Switch your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise in the summer. That will push the cool air down. You can run a ceiling fan half the day for about $1.50 a month, compared to $25 for an air conditioner.
• Check your dehumidifier: The summer season can bring high levels of humidity. Check your filter every month and clean or replace it as necessary.

• Service your gas grill: Your gas grill should be serviced at least once a year; twice a year if you’re a heavy grill user. Covering your grill when it’s not in use is the easiest and best thing you can do to extend its life by protecting it from the elements. If your grill is hard to light, check the venturi tubes. Spiders can spin webs and build nests in the tubes, obstructing the flow of the gas to the burner. Use a pipe cleaning brush to clear the tubes.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE:

• Make a stop: The summer heat can be tough on your vehicle and a tune-up before a summer road trip is a good idea. Have your mechanic check your vehicle at least one week before hitting the road.
• Check the oil: Check your owner’s manual to see if your car has a specific oil type and make sure your mechanic uses that type. Using different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
• Monitor tire inflation and mileage: Regularly monitor your tire inflation and mileage to save money at the gas pump and in the repair shop. Proper tire inflation helps you get better gas mileage. A drop in fuel efficiency is often the first warning sign of a problem, so monitoring your mileage can catch a problem before it gets too big (and expensive).
• Replace air filters: Air filters protect your engine and can improve gas mileage up to 10 percent.

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Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 425 different categories. Currently, more than 750,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at http://www.angiehicksblog.com.