Learn how to protect yourself from unexpected home repair costs.

Buying a new home can be an exciting (and somewhat stressful) experience for you and your family. After a long search, it’s a wonderful feeling to settle on what you consider to be the perfect house in a nice neighborhood with the most beautiful shade tree in the back yard. But taking time to thoroughly inspect the home’s major appliances can save you headaches and help you avoid unexpected expenses later on. If you use our simple checklist now, before you buy, you’ll be able to relax under that beautiful shade tree later.

•     Inspect appliances early – Never skip a formal home inspection by a professional before you buy a home. Also be aware that not all home inspections include appliances and outdoor plumbing, so make sure you determine exactly what’s included before you hire your inspector.

•     Take your time – Go back and visit the home when you have plenty of time. You know what a washing machine or range should look like. Are all the knobs and handles where they’re supposed to be? Are seals in place and in good shape? A damaged or missing seal makes an appliance inefficient—and expensive — to operate. Also, look for holes and cracked plastic inside appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers.

•     Test all appliances yourself — The best way to really check out an appliance is to turn it on. But don’t just hit the on/off button quickly; let the appliance run for several minutes. For example, turn on all the burners on a stovetop, and turn on a dishwasher or a washing machine for a full 15 minutes to see if it leaks. Your ears can also be a valuable tool so be sure to listen for any unusual noises which could indicate a major problem.

•     Take pictures – It’s not easy to remember all the details, especially at a hectic time like this. That’s why bringing a camera is a good idea. That way you can take plenty of photos as you walk from room to room. This will help you document the home’s overall condition and looking over the photos later can give you some perspective and help you decide if it really is the ideal place for you.

•     Think about your needs —Once you determine whether the appliances work, also take a minute to assess their quality and capacity. Are they energy-efficient? Can they handle your family’s needs? Are you happy with the style and quality or would you want to replace them pretty soon? All these factors can add to the cost of moving into your new home.

To make the home-buying experience less stressful, you may also want to consider purchasing a TotalProtect Home Warranty. Then, if something breaks in your new home (and hopefully it won’t) you’ll be able to get it fixed cost-effectively and by a certified professional —giving you plenty of time to enjoy your new home.

For more tips throughout the year and to learn how a home warranty can give you peace of mind, check out Total Protect Home Warranty on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.

Making a few simple changes can really help you cut down on unnecessary energy usage, adding up to a big boost for your bank account and the environment. Our list of five big energy wasters and the simple fixes will help you turn your home into a ‘lean, mean, money-saving machine.’

Energy waster #1:  ‘Always-on’ Home Appliances

Fix: Some home appliances and electronics are really using standby power when they seem to be off! Devices that use a remote control, rechargeable batteries or have a continuous display are among the worst offenders. The easiest fix is to plug several of these devices into a power strip and just turn the strip off when you leave the house or go to bed at night.

Energy waster #2:  Dirty/Damaged Heating or Cooling Equipment

Fix: The condition of your heating and cooling equipment can have a big impact on your utility bill. So be sure to keep air conditioner filters clean, because if these are clogged or dirty, the system has to work harder and becomes less efficient. Also, clean out air ducts in your walls because dirty, blocked air passages also waste energy. You may also want to consider getting an AC warranty; that way if your system breaks down, you can have it fixed quickly and cost-effectively.

Energy waster #3:  Leaks and Drafts

Fix:  Take a tour of your house and look for air entering through electrical outlets and switch plates, door and window frames or baseboards. Then, use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any holes or gaps. Also, don’t forget to inspect outside your house, too.  You’ll want to look for cracks or gaps at the corners and where different surfaces meet. Seal outdoor cracks with the appropriate material.

Energy waster # 4:  The ‘Wrong’ Lighting

Fix:  Don’t use more wattage than you need, and keep in mind that compact fluorescent lamps use a lot less energy than incandescent ones.  And, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lights are the biggest energy- savers of all.

Energy waster #5: ‘Too-Hot’ Water Heaters

Fix:  Reducing your water-heating temperature by just 10 degrees can save you three to five percent in energy costs. Also, try to turn water settings to the lowest temperature possible if you’ll be away for an extended period of time. Don’t forget that having a water heater warranty in place can make it less it a lot less stressful if it does suddenly stop working.

Eliminating these energy-wasters will put you way ahead in the home maintenance game, but you may also want to consider covering all your bases by investing in a TotalProtect Home Warranty.

For more tips throughout the year and to learn how a home warranty can give you peace of mind, check out TotalProtect Home Warranty on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.

The beginning of the year is the ideal time to assess the condition of your home and plan to put some time and effort into maintenance. Not only will it help get you through the rest of the winter, but it will also give you a head start on spring cleaning and help to minimize repairs. Here’s an easy, three-step plan to help make 2012 in your home is as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

1.  Put safety first — Help ensure your  family’s safe throughout the year by taking these  simple precautions:

• Above all, make an emergency plan and be sure that everyone in your family knows exactly what to do and whom to contact in case of an emergency.
• Examine smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to make sure they are working properly. Smoke detectors usually need to be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms every five years. (Check the alarms for their manufacture dates.) Batteries should be changed at least once a year.
• Be sure that you have the right number of alarms for your home and that they are installed in the proper locations. Smoke detectors should be placed in bedrooms, the kitchen (away from stove), living rooms and the top of stairways, while carbon monoxide alarms should be on every level of your home. Don’t neglect to install smoke detectors in basements, attached garages or attics.

2.  Prep your kitchen for healthy eating — The post-holiday period is usually full of resolutions to eat healthier and cook more meals at home, so make sure your kitchen appliances are in ‘fighting’ form.

• Your oven probably got a workout over the holidays, so now’s the time to give it a little extra attention. Check and, if necessary, replace the interior light bulb, and be sure to replace any broken or worn knobs as well as any other missing or broken range or oven parts. You can avoid unnecessary heat loss by making sure that oven door hinges and gaskets are in good shape.
• Routine refrigerator maintenance includes cleaning condenser coils every three to six months (more often if you have pets) and cleaning and checking door seals and gaskets. For a more detailed how-to, check out our refrigerator maintenance video.
• Don’t forget to regularly replace the water filter if your refrigerator/freezer has a water dispenser or ice maker; and check the temperature of both the refrigerator and freezer to make sure they’re at the ideal temperatures:  38° to 42°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. You may also want to consider getting an appliance warranty, so an unexpected breakdown won’t cause too much stress or disruption to your family’s schedule.

3.  Be kind to your budget (and the environment) — There are a number of ways to cut back on  home-related expenses. One of the most effective is to lower your energy usage.

• Caulking and/or weatherstripping the gaps around windows and doors, floors and exterior walls are pretty inexpensive, simple projects that will definitely translate into energy savings.
• Inadequate insulation can really wallop energy bills in both the winter and summer — even a newer home may need additional insulation — so check around and be sure your home is properly insulated.
• The cost of water heating can account for 14 to 25 percent of the energy used in your home. By performing some simple water heater maintenance, including lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater by 10 degrees, you can save between 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. Homeowners with electric water heaters may want to consider installing a timer that turns it off at night or during your utility’s peak — translate expensive — demand periods.

Perhaps, the No. 1 way to ensure stress-free home maintenance is to have a TotalProtect Home Warranty in place. It will help you keep your home running smoothly, like a well-oiled machine, all year long.

For more tips throughout the year and to learn how a home warranty can give you peace of mind, check out TotalProtect on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.