A four-season home checklist for up north

Northern Michigan gives us four real seasons, and each one asks something of your home. Work through the list for the season you are in, and call us for anything you would rather not handle yourself.

Spring

• Schedule an air conditioner tune-up before the first hot day
• Test the sump pump before the spring thaw
• Check outdoor faucets and hose bibs for freeze damage
• Replace furnace and air handler filters
• Clear leaves and brush away from the outdoor AC unit
• Have the well tank and pump looked over

Summer

• Switch the thermostat to cooling and set a smart schedule
• Run ceiling fans so the AC does not have to work as hard
• Keep grass and brush clear of the outdoor condenser
• Watch for weak water pressure on a busy well
• Test the GFCI outlets in the kitchen, bath and outdoors
• Check that bath and dryer vents push air outside

Fall

• Book a furnace tune-up before the cold sets in
• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down off the ceiling
• Seal drafts around doors and windows
• Test the standby generator and check the fuel
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses
• Have the boiler or chimney flue checked

Winter

• Keep the heat set steady and never let the house get too cold
• Insulate pipes in crawlspaces and along outside walls
• Know where your main water shut-off is
• Keep snow and ice clear of furnace and dryer vents
• Test the generator monthly through outage season
• Open cabinet doors on the coldest nights to warm the pipes

Year round

• Change HVAC filters every one to three months
• Watch the water heater for rust, noise or leaks
• Check the electrical panel for warm spots or breakers that trip
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Keep the area around your mechanical equipment clear

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Questions about your own home? We are glad to help. Call (231) 266-5780 or send us a note. We are a family owned company serving Lake, Manistee, Mason and Wexford counties, and we listen first.