There’s a reason we have sayings such as “home is where the heart is” and “there’s no place like home.” It’s because our homes are a haven for our families. Our homes offer contentment and are a cozy retreat at the end of a long day. So, with February being the month of love (thank you Valentine’s Day), we thought we’d zero in on the best ways to return love to our homes this season.
Even better—we’d thought we do it by having a little fun! If you’ve ever wondered what kind of homeowner you are (good vs. bad), we’re going to tell you!
Check out our list below to see if you score “red hearts” (good points) or “broken hearts” (bad points) with how you treat your home.
Ready, set, go!
We give you red hearts if you…
Schedule regular furnace service
True love includes scheduling annual service for your HVAC system each season. Not only does professional maintenance lower energy bills, improve energy efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your system, but it can also boost your overall home comfort. What’s not to love about that?
We give you broken hearts if you…
Don’t change your air filters
When you don’t change your air filters regularly, you’re only harming your home. Fresh, clean air filters allow your system to work at top efficiency and keep your indoor comfort feeling great (plus, they improve air quality). When you don’t change air filters, dirt and gunk blocks your system and can cause it to work overtime—which can lead to unwanted furnace repair.
We give you red hearts if you…
Check your vents monthly
It’s important to check your air vents each month. Make sure they are clean (yep, you should vacuum them) and not blocked by furniture or kids’ toys. If your air is flowing freely, you’re in good shape.
We give you broken hearts if you…
Put eggshells, grease, or potato peels in your garbage disposal
It’s important to remember that your garbage disposal is not a trash can. Things such as eggshells, oil, grease, and potato peels should go in the trash, not the garbage disposal. Use your disposal for things like ice cubes, soft food scraps, vegetable scraps, and soft fruits. When in doubt—place in the trash.
We give you red hearts if you…
Add an air purifier or humidifier to your home
Wintertime in New Jersey causes a great deal of dry air. Investing in a humidifier is a great way to safeguard your family against upper respiratory issues. Humidifiers will add moisture to your home and help balance out dry indoor air. Air purifiers can also help filters out contaminants and help keep your air clean and fresh.
We give you broken hearts if you…
Are not careful with space heaters
We know it’s cold out there! And one way many homeowners add extra heat to their living areas is by using space heaters. Space heaters are fine to use—but they need to be used properly. Always keep space heaters three feet from anything flammable, keep them away from young children and pets, don’t leave then unattended when using, and always unplug them when not in use.
We give you red hearts if you…
Reverse that ceiling fan during winter
If you have a ceiling fan, don’t ignore it during the winter months. Instead turn it on and direct it clockwise. Changing the fan’s direction in the winter will push warm air from the ceiling back down into your living space. Result? Extra coziness for that Valentine’s Day date night!
We give you broken hearts if you…
Don’t schedule regular chimney cleaning …
If you’re one of the lucky homeowners who has a wood burning fireplace, be sure to schedule an annual chimney cleaning each year. Chimney cleaning removes soot and creosote which can lead to interior chimney fires.
We give you red hearts if you…
Seal windows and doors
Heat loss can escape through windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed. If you notice cracks in windows or openings around your doors, caulk or fill with window stripping to prevent air from escaping. You might also consider updating your attic or basement insulation as well.
We give you broken hearts if you…
Don’t call Elite Air for your heating system repairs!
Elite Air is available seven days a week to help keep your home in top condition all year long. If your home needs a bit of cozying up or some furnace repair before you celebrate with your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, feel free to contact us. You can schedule an appointment online here, or call us at 609.205.3813.
Happy Valentine’s Day!