1.     Water Heater:  A water heater should generally be replaced after 7 years.  You should lower the temperature to 120 degrees F.  While you’re at it, put a blanket over it. 

2.     Exposed Water Pipes:  Wrap exposed pipes in insulation, these types of pipes loose heat as they move water from your heater to your faucet.  Insulating them can make up to a four degree difference.

3.     A/C Vents:  None of the vents in your home should be covered or blocked by anything –peek into all of your vents and make sure they’re as dust-free as possible, brush them out if you see any dust bunnies. Also change you’re A/C filters every 30 days

4.     Water:  Inspect bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens regularly for water leaks. The fix can be as simple as tightening a nut. Caulk around doors and windows to prevent water from seeping into the walls. Outside, keep water routed at least 5 feet from the foundation.

5.     Roofs:  If a roof is more than 12 years old, get it inspected, experts say.  A homeowner should avoid climbing on the roof. Shingles can break, or a person can get hurt. Instead, use binoculars to check for broken shingles and spots where the mineral coating has worn off.

6.     Appliances: Know the ages of your appliances and when they were last fixed or maintained.  This kind of information is helpful in case an appliance goes out, you can decide whether it would be cost effective to fix or replace it.  A good place to keep this information would be as a cover sheet in the packet where you keep all your warranties. 

7.     Professionals:  When you do call in a professional, get everything in writing. A contract should always include the start and end dates, a payment schedule (never pay in full for work that isn't completed to your satisfaction), materials and labor costs, a detailed project description, proof of insurance, and a clause stating the work will conform to local building codes. From more information on this topic, go to jaxgreeninstall.com and read the blog “picking a contractor”.

8.     Thermostats:  Install a programmable thermostat, this allows you to schedule automatic increases and decreases in your home’s temperature. This lets your house naturally warm (or cool in the winter) while you’re at work or asleep, saving quite a bit of energy use, and then when it comes time for you to actively use the house, the thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature of your home back to what you prefer. Such devices save money on cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.