When to Service or Replace Your HVAC, Roof, and Other Home Components
A lot of people set New Year’s resolutions about looking better, such as wanting to fit into a smaller size dress by summer, but the most important step towards looking good is making healthy choices such as improving your diet or exercise regimen. It’s the same with home resolutions: a new shower may look good, but first you need to make sure your home has pipes that aren’t rusting from the inside out and that your home’s water is softened so that it won’t damage your new shower. From Memorial to the Heights to West University, home renovations are the happening thing in Houston. Here’s how to make sure your home is healthy before making those cosmetic upgrades.
Start the New Year with a Practical Home Improvement Plan
Home improvement should always start with home health and safety. Projects like replacing your HVAC system and repairing your roof aren’t as exciting to talk about or show off to your friends, but they will make a major difference in the structural integrity of your home as well as your family’s comfort and safety.
Structural facets and major appliances in your home don’t come with a true expiration date, but they do have estimated lifespans, a certain age where they begin to break down. If you know how long your water heater, HVAC system, or roof is generally supposed to last, you can avoid frustration and costly damage by planning your home maintenance and replacement goals far in advance.
As part of your New Year’s to-do list, establish your 25-year home improvement calendar and start budgeting. Planning ahead will prevent you from being caught off guard with several high-dollar projects at the same time.
Routine Maintenance Calendar for Your Home:
Monthly Home Maintenance
Test Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
This is a no-cost, high priority maintenance routine that can potentially save lives. Test all of your smoke alarms and check the sensors at least once a month. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working well. Instructions should have been included in the package. If you did not keep the packaging, you can also find instructions on the internet by searching for the manufacturer of your smoke detector and the model of your alarm.
For starters, simply press the test button to make sure the alarm works. If it does not work, replace the batteries. If your alarm still doesn’t sound off after replacing the batteries, you should replace your smoke detector as soon as possible. Make sure to test every detector in your home.
Fire extinguishers should also be inspected every month to ensure that the pressure is within range, its safety seals are intact, and there are no leaks, damages, corrosion, or clogs in the nozzle. If there is irreparable damage, purchase a new extinguisher. For more information on how to test your home’s fire extinguishers, read our Ultimate Guide to Holiday Hosting’s section on fire safety.
Quarterly Home Maintenance
Add Salt to your Water Softeners
Water softeners typically don’t need any routine maintenance except adding salt to the system as it’s needed. You can plan to do this yourself on a quarterly basis or enlist the help of a water treatment specialist whois qualified to work on the water softener model you have. Most importantly, be sure to follow the specifications provided by the product manufacturer.
Annual Home Maintenance
1. Perform Water Heater Maintenance
You can extend a water heater’s lifespan with periodic maintenance. Drain your tank using the recommended schedule and procedures in your owner’s manual. It’s recommended that you drain your water heater once a year. By doing so, you can remove sediment that slows down heat transfer and lowers efficiency. This can be quite a tedious job, especially if you need to drain the entire tank. If the job is more than you can handle on your own, find a licensed plumber who can provide ongoing maintenance according to the model of your water heater. Quarterly maintenance may be recommended for particular models.
2. Perform HVAC System Maintenance
Angie’s List recommends an annual check up of your HVAC that includes inspection of your thermostat settings, air filters, electrical connections, system components, condensate drain, and start-up and shut-down controls. You should also lubricate moving parts and replace your air filters as part of your routine maintenance program. Regular service of your HVAC system not only safeguards you against a breakdown during hot Houston summers or cold winters, but can also increase the lifespan of your AC unit, improve your home’s energy efficiency and air quality, and save you money on your energy bill.
3. Inspect Your Roof
Plan for an annual roof inspection. A roofing expert who will check for missing, lifted or loose shingles as well as moss, mold, or worn spots marked by missing granules, cracks, peeling and curling. They can also check your attic and ceilings for stains that may indicate water leaks from roof damage. Tackling roof repairs as needed is important in preventing leaks and damage to your home’s interior.
4. Steam Your Carpet
If you want to extend the life of your carpet, you should have it professionally cleaned at least once a year. Most carpet manufacturers recommend the steam cleaning method that cleans deep into the fibers and lifts out the dirt and pollutants that are tracked into your home.
Regular carpet cleaning is important, especially if your family is sensitive to allergens. Carpets trap dirt, dust, debris and allergens that become difficult to remove over time, even with deep cleaning. If you have family members with asthma and allergies, an unclean carpet can aggravate their condition, so annual steam cleaning of your carpet is recommended for both good hygiene and health.
If allergens are a concern for you and your family members, you may also want to consider an indoor air quality assessment of your home every year.
8-10 Year Home Improvements:
Replace Water Heaters, and Smoke Detectors
1. Replace Your Water Heater
The most common tank types- like storage tanks and electrical water heaters- last anywhere from 8 to 10 years. Gas water heaters may have a slightly shorter lifespan of 6 to 8 years. If your water heater is approaching the 10-year mark, there’s a good chance it’s time to replace your unit. If you fail to maintain or replace your water heater before it’s too late, leaks and rust can develop and destroy your water heater from the inside out.
Hard water induced sediment can cause the bottom of the heater to overheat and melt away the protective glass lining in a gas water heater, which can cause your heater to “bottom out” and flood your home. High water pressure above 80 psi can also damage water heaters. If high water pressure is being caused by a back flow prevention valve in the water supply line, you may need an expansion tank to give extra water a place to go.
2. Replace Smoke Detectors
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you replace a detector when it’s 10 years old because over time, sensors in the alarm become desensitized from dust. However, you may need to replace it earlier if it isn’t sounding off like it’s supposed to or chirps even after you change the battery.
For an average size home with 3-5 detectors, you can hire an electrician to ensure all of your smoke detectors are installed properly. Professional installation can run anywhere from $300 to $700, but because you only have to replace your detectors once every ten years, it’s worth the investment to have it done professionally to protect your home and your family from the risk of a house fire.
10-15 Year Home Improvements:
Replace Water Heaters, Carpet, and Smoke Detectors
1. Upgrade your HVAC System
According to ENERGY STAR®, if your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, or your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, they should be upgraded for energy efficiency purposes. Newer units can result in 20 percent savings on heating and cooling costs. There are certain telltale signs that may indicate you may need to replace your HVAC system earlier:
Frequent need for repairs
A rise in the cost of your energy bill
Rooms that are too hot or too cold
Humidity problems in your home
Malfunctioning equipment
Excessive dust
Noise when running your system
Your energy score at home is less than a 5 per the Home Energy Yardstick.
It’s also important to stay on top of the latest developments in the industry. For instance, if your system runs on R-22, the coolant commonly known as Freon, you will need to replace your system by 2020. The manufacturing and distribution of R-22 coolant will be outlawed in 2020 due to implications for the ozone. Read here on the dangers of R-22 substitutes.
2. Replace Your Carpet
Carpet replacement is essential for good hygiene, indoor air quality, and family health because of possible exposure to allergens and contaminants over time. The typical lifespan of carpet is about 15 years, but many factors will determine if you’ll need to replace it sooner than later. It all depends on what your carpet is exposed to (pets, kids, heavy traffic, dirt, spills), how you take care of the carpet, and what type of material it’s made from.
Polyester, olefin fibers, and berber are susceptible to matting over time, especially if they are placed in high traffic areas. Even carpet padding may wear down over time which may cause your carpet to feel lumpy and wear out more quickly, particularly if the padding is of low quality.
Aside from the sight of icky stains, here are other telltale signs that it’s time to replace your carpet:
Horizontal threads of the backing material through the top of the carpeting in some areas
Fraying along the edges of the carpet
Thinning areas of the carpet
Significantly lighter shade in one area or discoloration of the entire carpet
Odors: If the carpet is giving off unpleasant odors or if it smells like a wet dog when you clean it, it’s time to change both the carpet and possibly even the padding
3. Upgrade Your Dishwasher and Faucets
If you recently renovated your kitchen and cannot imagine having to do it all over again in the future, at least set aside room in your budget for small improvements like replacing your dishwasher in ten years and kitchen faucets in 15 years. Replacement time frames may be sooner if you use your washer or faucet more frequently.
20+ Years Home Improvements:
Replace Roof, Attic Insulation, and Electrical Panel
1. Add to or Replace Attic Insulation
Fiberglass insulation typically loses its effectiveness after 15 to 20 years, which can lead to a home that’s difficult to heat or cool down and a more expensive energy bill. Without adequate attic insulation, heat can more easily enter your living spaces and force your air conditioner to work continuously to get to your target temperature. Poor insulation can also cause your home to lose heat during the winter.
You can tell if your insulation is thin if it is just level with or below your floor joists. But an HVAC specialist can determine for certain by assessing your R-Value, the insulation level requirement according to Energy Star’s standards. Unless you have a pest control problem, old attic insulation doesn’t have to be removed; more can be added on top of the old insulation. The good news is that there are more advanced insulation products on the market that last longer and aren’t as harmful as the traditional fiberglass insulation.
2. Repair or Replace your Roof
Most roofing experts agree that a typical roof will last between 20 and 25 years, but this can vary depending on whether it was properly ventilated and if your old roof was removed or not. You will likely need a roof replacement if your roof has two or more layers of shingles and is 20 years old or older. A roofing expert will be the best person to determine if it’s time for a replacement, but here are some of the signs to watch for:
Missing shingles
Shingles that are curling or buckling
Shingle granules in the gutter
Roof feels bouncy when you walk on it
Because roofs are a high dollar replacement cost in homes, they are just as important as kitchens and baths for resale. Even if the roof has no issues, the age of your roof can be a dealbreaker and send a potential homebuyer to purchase another home with a newer roof.
3. Replace Your Electrical Panel
Circuit breaker panels have a life expectancy of about 25-40 years. You’ll generally know it’s time to replace your electrical panel if it appears to be in poor condition, if it has only a few circuits, or if your breakers do not trip. Also, if you plan on treating yourself to a new hot tub or HVAC system in the new year, ask a licensed electrician to assess if your electrical system can handle the load.
The most important reason to update your home’s electrical system is for safety.
Most older homes were built with just a few circuits that can only handle 30, 50 or 60 amps for the entire home. If you have too much electricity running at once, your circuit breakers should trip and turn off to prevent wires from overheating and catching fire. In older systems, circuit breakers stop tripping, even when the circuit is overloaded. If your electrical panel is more than 25 years old and you want to minimize the risk of a fire, you should have your electrical panel inspected and possibly replaced right away.
A Healthier Home Makes for a Happy New Year
If you plan it out smartly, you can give your home the care and attention it needs to be the safe and comfortable oasis it was meant to be. Working on cosmetic improvements may help with your home’s resale value, but taking care of some of the more functional components of your home can make an immediate difference in your family’s comfort and safety. In the new year, just remember that health and function are just as important as good looks when it comes to both you and your home.
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