Maintaining a home is work

Whether you are a homeowner or live in an apartment, there are big projects that need to be done once or twice a year.

When was the last time you hand-scrubbed your floors or changed the batteries in your smoke detectors?

After learning that it had been years since I had cleaned out the pantry, I created a schedule to assure the big projects, which tend to be put off, are done more often.

Spreading the cleaning/maintenance tasks over the course of the year is less overwhelming.

This is a work in progress, and I’m sure I will be adding to it.

Download the schedule

Excel version so you can adjust it to fit your needs: Big Project Schedule
PDF format if you want to follow my schedule: Big Project Schedule

Got other “Big Projects” to add to this list?

Feel free to add them in the comments section.

Did you know that regularly changing/cleaning your air filters saves you money on your electric bill by allowing your heating and A/C system to run more efficiently?

How often do you change the air filter(s)?

Do you have pets? How many people live in your house? These factors can make a difference in how quickly the filter gets dirty.

It is the first of the month, which is my reminder to change/clean the air filters in my home. I have three kids and a dog, so my air filters cannot go longer than a month without seriously affecting the way my system runs. I can literally hear the air struggling to get through the dirty filter by the end of the month.

If you only have one or two people in the home, you could probably go 2-3 months before changing them. Check them monthly until you figure out how long yours lasts before it gets dirty.

Install it correctly

When replacing the filters, make sure you don’t put it in upside-down which is a common mistake. There is an air flow direction on most, and it is marked on the side of the filter with an arrow.

Go Green and use a permanent air filter

Go green and purchase a filter that can be washed and replaced. They are not cheap, but over time you will save money over buying the disposable filters and help the environment at the same time. NOTE: They do eventually have to be replaced, too.

I have a large reusable filter and love it. My duct was an odd shape, and finding disposable filters for it was impossible. After tiring of cutting flimsy cheap filters to fit, I decided to order a custom reusable one. I simply hose it off to get rid of the dust, let it dry, and replace it.

For more information on air filters go here

Do a Google search for “reusable air filters” to find a list of companies that sell the permanent filters.