The kids are back in school, and you’re looking for ways to recoup some of the money you’ve spent on all of that back to school shopping you just finished. Instead of rushing to sign up for extra hours at work or picking up a second job, how about you look at home first. There are plenty of ways you can find some extra money if you stop doing the following things.
Tossing Lemons in the Garbage Disposal
Many people believe that you can freshen up your drains by tossing lemon peels down their garbage disposals. While it may be a well-known fact that citrus acid is a natural deodorizer, it can also be harmful to metal pipes. Before you resort to cutting up lemons and grinding them up, double check your plumbing. If your pipes are made of metal, you should consider other ways to freshen up your drains, running cold water while you grind up a few trays of ice cubes. If your drains still stink after they’ve been scrubbed down by the ice chips, pour a little white vinegar down and see if it does the trick.
Changing the HVAC Filter Too Often
You may be concerned about your home’s ventilation and air quality which is why you make it a habit to change the filter on your HVAC system every month. However, changing it too often is a waste of money. In a month’s time, your HVAC system is not going to stir up enough dust and dirt in your home to completely clog the filter. Instead, you should check your filter monthly and change it every third month as recommended by the Department of Energy.
Masking Ventilation Duct Leaks With Duct Tape
Many homeowners tend to put off hiring a professional HVAC service to seal up their leaky ducts. They often use caulk and duct tape, thinking they’ll put an end to their problems. Little do they realize is that the sticky adhesive that binds the tape to their ducts will wear away once it’s exposed to heat. Before it completely erodes, their ducts will leak more and more until it’s as if they never did anything to rectify the situation in the first place. The leaks might also become worse.
If this a method you’ve previously relied on for your ducts, do yourself a favor and do something different this year. Hire an HVAC company to come out and seal them the right way. That way you can enjoy your home’s comfort and keep more money in your savings.
Putting Dryer Sheets on Vents
Some households have a harder time than others maintaining fresh and good smelling air. They may try to compensate by placing dryer sheets inside of their vents so the scent flows through their home when the air and heat come on. This is a very hazardous trick to try because it increases the chances of a fire breaking out in your home when the furnace is on. It also leads to blockages that will overwork your HVAC system, leading to premature failure and replacement. If you are tired of your home smelling like a bar, there are plenty of other safer options for you to try. You can invest in plants that naturally filter the air, air fresheners, candles and essential oils.
The above list of bad habits is not all-inclusive. You could be doing other things that make it hard for you to save your hard-earned money. Take some time to assess your household habits and those of your family members o you can come up with a plan to correct them. For more money-saving HVAC advice, contact us at M & A HVAC Services at 615-431- 2500.
