2018 has gotten off to a pretty frigid start for most of the country and our town is no exception.  It's too cold to do anything - at least it feels like it!  But today we're going to share 5 quick things you can do to show your house some love (or as some people call it, "maintenance" but that doesn't sound nearly as fun).  This isn't a comprehensive list, but it's a good place to start - it'll help you get over that cabin fever in no time!

1. Check Your Attic

If you've never looked in your attic, now's the time.  Let me back up... if you don't know how to access your attic, now is the time to learn!  Does your house have icicles?  It shouldn't!  

You will need:

• A sturdy step ladder
• A Flashlight
• A Ruler or Measuring Tape

How To:

1. First, locate your attic hatch.  This is usually a small rectangular panel located on your highest floor.  It's most likely in a closet, so don't give up if it takes you a minute to find it!
2. Set up your ladder under the hatch, making sure it's fully opened and stable.
3. Using the ladder, push the hatch open - you may want to wear some glasses - blown cellulose insulation is messy! 
4. Once you're high enough to see into the attic, break out the ruler and your flashlight.  You're looking for at least 16" of depth for your insulation in Northern climates.
5. If you've got 16" or more - fantastic!  Check again next year!
6. If you don't have 16" of insulation, call your local insulation company and let them know that you'd like to make an appointment to have your attic insulation topped off.  They'll know exactly what you mean and will be happy to give you an estimate on the work!

2. Find Hidden Dirt

Even if you're a fastidious housekeeper, you probably have a few areas where dirt and dust accumulate.  We're talking registers and vent covers, here.  Winter is a great time to clear out the cobwebs and keep the air in your home fresh and allergen free!  This can also be done for your dryer vent and range hood.  If you've never cleaned your range hood filter, well, you're in for a special treat!

You will need:

• A vacuum
• A dishwasher (or sink, sponge and soap!)
• A flat head screw driver
• Dust mask (this makes it sound like a big deal, but trust me, you'll want one when those fine little particles start flying!)
• A teeny tiny amount of elbow grease

How to:

1. At each air supply or return, first remove the cover, using the screwdriver if wall mounted.
2. Vacuum off the cover.
3. Vacuum inside the duct, as far as you're able.
4. Wipe down wood covers with a damp cloth.
5. Clean metal covers in the sink with soapy water OR stick them in your dishwasher!
6. Replace!
7. If you suspect that your ductwork may have accumulated dust and pet dander, it might be a good idea to call in the pros.  Find a reliable company locally who can come in an sweep out your ductwork - this is especially useful if you have any allergy sufferers in your home!

3. Replace ALLLL Your Filters

I can get especially lazy about doing this... our refrigerator filters *may* or may not have needed to be replaced for something like three months...  So... no time like the present! This is a really simple task that can save you energy and money.

You will need:

• Your filters
• A flashlight
• Both standard (flat) and phillips head screw drivers

How to:

1. Make a list of all the appliances and mechanical units in your home that have replaceable filters - you'll be looking for things like refrigerators, air filtering units, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, furnaces, etc.
2. Locate the appliance model number.  Companies usually put this on a sticker located either on the back or side of an appliance, or sometimes inside the door, in the case of refrigerators.  Sometimes, in addition to the model number, they'll actually give you the model number of the filter, as well - bonus!  Write all of these down a piece of paper.
3. Head over to Amazon, and search for the filters you need.  If you're a better person than me, you'll set these up to auto-send - refrigerator filters should be replaced every three months, with most other filters being replaced yearly.
4. When your filters arrive, you can get started on the swap out!  Quick tip: Do NOT remove all the filters at one time!
5. At each appliance, have your filter and flashlight.  Pay very close attention to the direction and positioning of the filters when you remove them.  Many will have directional arrows.  I've found it's helpful to remove them and set them aside EXACTLY as they came out.
6. After you've removed the old filter and done a little gagging, you're ready to slide your brand new filter into place!  Pop that baby in, and make sure you properly install the cover.

4. Test Your Warning Systems

January can be a dangerous time in people's homes - it's very cold, many people are heating with space heaters and gas fireplaces - our furnaces are chugging away, struggling to keep up.  It's vital that your warning systems are functioning properly.  

You will need:

• A sturdy ladder
• Some hearing protection (not vital, but you'll thank me)
• Lots of fresh batteries

How to:

1. First, locate all of your smoke detectors.  Residential codes require them to be located inside and outside every sleeping area, and to communicate with each other, which means if one goes off, they all go off.  If your home is older, it may not be up to code. 
2. Test your smoke detector, by pressing the button on the cover of the alarm until it sounds (usually about 5 seconds).  If it doesn't sound, replace the batteries and test again.  If it STILL doesn't sound, head to the next step.
3. You may need to replace your existing smoke detectors (especially if your units are over 10 years old) or you may want to add a few units to your home. 
4. We recommend replacing your existing units with these great ones which also include CO detection.  They're wireless, and they work with each other, giving you that interconnected feature!
5. If you're not comfortable replacing the units yourself, call a pro to help you out - having an electrician install your smoke detectors is worth every penny and will definitely be less expensive than the aftermath of a fire.

5. Take a Walk Around the House

It's easy to hunker down inside during the winter!  And because most of us are leaving and coming home in the dark, the outside of our homes can get neglected.  By taking an observational walk around the house during the winter, you can identify and possibly address some potential issues.

You will need:

• A clear day
• Your eyes!

How to:

1. On a clear day, during daylight hours, bundle up and head outside.  
2. First, walk around and take a look at your roof and gutters - do you have a lot of ice?  Are there any shingles or pieces missing from the soffit or fascia?
3. Next, check out your landscaping and trees.  Winter is a great time to do this because all of the leaves are down.  Is your landscaping far enough away from your home to allow for proper air flow and drainage?  Are there any trees hanging over your roof or growing too close to decks, porches or sidewalks?
4. Make a list of anything you see that might need to be addressed.  
5. Do as much of the work as you feel comfortable with, but otherwise, January is a great time to call a professional.  Landscapers' schedules fill up quickly, so if you have some issues that need to be fixed, call now to get on the schedule when the weather breaks!