Summer Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home (and Your Bills) in Check

Summer is in full swing, and these sweltering days of full sun may have wreaked some havoc on your home. How’s your place holding up? Fight off eye-bulging, budget-breaking electricity and water bills. Follow these summer maintenance tips to keep your home (and your bills) in check.

Ditch Your Dishwasher

Instead of stacking the dishwasher full of plates every day or so, run some hot soapy water and wash them by hand. Lay them out and let them air dry. Over the summer this saves lots of water and electricity, and only takes a few minutes of your time.

Take Advantage of Summer Tool Sales

Hardware stores run some great discounts on tools during the summer months. Now is the time to stock up on new or upgraded tools you need for your summer maintenance projects. Opt for high-quality brands that you know will last. Find gardening tools cheaper than ever, and pick up a small tool kit to carry in each one of your vehicles in case of emergencies. It may also be time to invest in a new drill or other, more expensive tool that could be a great asset in helping your home look great. Finally, ditch your old, worn out, or cheaply made tools by selling them online or donating them.

Water Your Lawn Less

You may be wasting water, and running up your bill, by over-watering your yard. Cut back on it by watering it two days less per week. Lawns typically only need one inch of water per week and you can measure it easily. If you can pierce the dirt six inches easily with a stick or screwdriver, it’s being watered enough. Another money saving DIY idea is to set a couple of large watering cans outside to catch the rain and use it to water your potted plants.

RELATED READ: Five Eco-Friendly Home Improvements to Go Green

Decrease the Water Your Toilets Use

Every time you flush a toilet, money is literally swirling down the drain. Make sure you have water-efficient toilets and save even more water by adding a space-saver to the water tank. Fill a milk jug with sand and place it in your tank, which ends up saving a gallon of water per flush. This is an easy way to save water without even realizing it.

Clean Ceiling Fans

Keep the dust factor low, as well as the family’s allergy problems, in your rooms by periodically cleaning your ceiling fans. Buy an extendable duster and run it over the bottom and top of every blade. Vacuum afterwards, as some dust may fall into the floor. Your rooms will feel fresher, instantly.

Inspect and Prep Your HVAC Systems

HVAC issues can be disastrous to your electric bill. Prolong your system’s life by vigilantly changing your filters every month and set a schedule for a service person to visit and inspect it. Hopefully, if they find issues they can be fixed before they cause you a big expense.

Dry Your Laundry the Old-Fashioned Way

A clothes dryer is a big energy expense. Use the warm, sunny weather to your advantage by hanging your laundry outside to dry. Hang them across your deck railing in your backyard or set up a small retractable clothesline. Not only are you helping the environment, but you also end up with fresh-smelling clothes and towels.

Check Your Home for Water Leaks

Leaks can run up your water bill as well as cause damage to your flooring and walls. Start inside and test every faucet and toilet and address any leaks immediately. Go outside and do the same with your exterior faucets. Make sure to do this at least twice a year to protect your property and yourself from any unwelcome water bill surprises.

RELATED READ: Save Money with Simple Home Repairs and Maintenance

De-grime Your Grill

Using your grill for several months can leave it grungy. Don’t risk a nasty case of food poisoning! Start shining up that grill by heating it on high and burning off any food or grease for 15 minutes, then use a steel brush to brush it off. Remember to clean the catch pan and cook box and wash the warming racks and grill baskets with hot, soapy water and a scrub brush.

Polish Your Porches

Offenders like leaves, dirt, and pollen can make your porch look abandoned. Revive the look of your porch by wiping down the railings and spraying them off. Then sweep everything off and mop the surface thoroughly. Use a hose or a pressure washer to rinse it well.

Maintain Your Decks

As with your porch, decks take a lot of abuse during the hot summer months. Do some backyard maintenance by washing its surface, railings, and steps. Freshen up your deck furniture by beating your pillows and going over hard surfaces with a damp rag. Shake off your rugs and put any “stuff” that has been left on the deck back in its proper place.

Wash Your Windows

Treat your windows to a spa day. Clean the inside first by shining them and cleaning around the casings. Then step outside and perform some DIY exterior cleaning with a pressure washer or a cleaner that attaches to your water hose.

Fight Off Weeds with Mulch

Weeds are big eyesores that can crop up fast. Buy some mulch and put a thick layer around your house, flower beds, and mailbox. It instantly gives your yard a facelift and prevents weeds from poking their ugly heads through the dirt.

Primp Your Plants

Spend an afternoon of home improvement effort in your yard with your plants. Pick off the dead branches and leaves, cut them back where needed, and feed them plant food. Finally, water them thoroughly.

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the look and maintenance of your property. Summer is a great time to enjoy your home, but there are some responsibilities required to keep it functioning well and to keep your energy bills down. Don’t worry, they don’t take long. You can finish them up and be back to enjoying your summer quickly!