Well, spring has arrived quickly in the Mother Lode.  Here in Pine Grove, CA, we had an amazing winter with lots of rain and now the lakes and reservoirs are mostly full.  So, with moving into spring there are a few home maintenance things we should do that will save you money and help to keep you safer in your home.

When the time changes, you should change the batteries in your Smoke and CO detectors.  This is a life and health safety item.  If you have high ceilings there are some replacement batteries that will last longer so, you may not have to replace the batteries as frequently, however, the rule of thumb is to replace Smoke and CO detector batteries when you reset your clocks for spring and fall. Why is this so important you ask?  Smoke or CO (Carbon Monoxide) can kill you while you sleep! The early detection of these items helps to make our homes safe for our family and friends.

You may have an erratic Smoke or CO detector which alarms frequently. There can be a number of reasons that this happens. First of all, a smoke detector that has been working properly for a number of years and now may have a bad battery. Another cause is a buildup of dust or dirt on the sensor or improper placement of the unit. Other times it’s just old and needs to be replaced. New smoke detectors can be purchased locally at any hardware store.  Some need to be "hard wired" 
to the existing electrical system and in older homes, only a battery 
replacement is used.  Some people don't like the look of the large 
Smoke or CO detector on the walls in their house & bedrooms.  For those people, there are much smaller units which meet the safety requirements and are ascetically pleasing.  If you are unable to replace batteries or need new or additional units we can install them for you.

As the season has changed we should consider air filter replacement for the HVAC (heater & air conditioner).  These filters should be changed every 30 to 90 days, but more frequent replacement improves air quality in your home.  Some filters are pleated and offer more surface area (and can be changed at a longer interval) but even though the manufacturer may recommend replacement in 3 months in reality 60 days is a much better time frame.

Why do I need to replace the filter so frequently you ask?  It's because with a clean filter the heater or air conditioner work more efficiently.  If your equipment isn't working so hard, then it will work better and save you money on your energy bills.

A lot of people and businesses have "Mini Split" units. These units 
almost always have a washable filter.  This unit should be gently 
cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions at least every 30 
days.  

Thanks for taking the time to read these hints.  Let us know and Stuart London Handyman if we can be of service to you & please like us on Facebook.