Home Maintenance Related Tasks Could Be Costing You
Homeownership is amazing. But it’s a lot of work. There are so many things to worry about from mortgage payments and HOA dues to maintenance repairs and home improvements. As a homeowner, looking for ways to make your home more efficient should be a top priority. Whether you know it or not, you may be making some small mistakes around your home that are costing you much more than you realize. Here are some of the costliest mistakes being made on homes in Ladera Ranch.
The 9 Most Expensive Mistakes You’re Making on your Ladera Ranch Home
Leaky Windows and Doors
We live in Ladera Ranch, so winters aren’t as harsh here as they are in other places. But that doesn’t mean that your windows and doors aren’t costing you. Cracks in the sealing can let cool air into your home, causing you too have to crank up your heater. Use rubber seals around the doors and caulk your leaky windows to keep cool winter breezes out of your home.
Paying a Handyman
Why pay someone to do small jobs around your home when you can do them yourself? There are so many great resources available now days from HGTV online tutorials to YouTube tutorials on how to fix things around your house. If you do the small things yourself, you can save a lot of money on home maintenance in the long run.
Ignoring Damaged Shingles
The roof is one of the most important aspects of a home. It’s also one of the most expensive things to replace. Keeping an eye out for curling or damaged shingles will help you prevent costly repairs down the road. Replace any damaged shingles you see as soon as possible.
Water Heater Temperature is Too High
Adjusting your water heater for the summer and winter temperatures can help you save money. If you have a tankless water heater and you don’t have to worry about this. But if you don’t, adjusting the temperature of your water heater will help reduce the costs to heat your water.
Wrong Size or Dirty Air Filters
The HVAC system is commonly neglected, but it can lead to inefficiency in your energy bills. Using the wrong size air filter or leaving dirty filters in your HVAC can increase your energy bills and can cause costly issues for your furnace down the road.
Not Setting your Thermostat Properly
If you aren’t at home for the majority of the day, you should make sure that your thermostat reflects that. Leaving the heat or air running throughout the day when you aren’t home can create costly energy charges.
Over Watering the Lawn
Sprinkler systems are common in Ladera Ranch. Most of the time, sprinkler systems come on while you’re at work, or early in the morning. But you don’t actually see what you’re watering. What if you have a broker sprinkler head or your sprinkler is watering your driveway instead of your lawn? Make sure to run your sprinkler system while you’re home every once in a while so you can see what you’re watering.
Ignoring a Leaky Faucet
We live in Ladera Ranch, where water has seen an increase in cost over the past two years. Checking your faucets to make sure that they aren’t leaking is an easy way to save yourself on your water bill. One leaky faucet producing one drop per second can lead to over 3,000 gallons of per year, enough to take over 180 showers. This can lead to costly water bills and even more costly repairs if you don’t catch the leak.
Traditional Lightbulbs
Energy efficiency is a huge hot-button topic. If you’re still using traditional lightbulbs, and you haven’t switched to CFL or LED bulbs, you’re throwing your hard earned money away. Traditional lightbulbs cost almost 5 times more than CFL and LED bulbs. Make the switch, and save yourself in energy costs immediately!
Find Your Forever Home in Ladera Ranch
Home maintenance is one of the many joys of homeownership. But finding your dream home is one of the most exciting parts of the process. If you’re looking for a home in Ladera Ranch, I can help you. I have been a part of this community for more than 18 years helping everyone, from retirees to young couples, find homes in Ladera Ranch. I’d love the honor of helping you too. Contact me today to start the search for your future home.