A brand new year is only a few days away. And while you may be preoccupied with your grocery list for appetizers and the exciting new recipes you want to try for your New Year’s Eve party, or planning the best outfit to wear when celebrating, first give some thought to whether or not your house is properly prepared for the year ahead.

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your home is in top shape, inside and out, beyond the floors being clean, the laundry being folded, and the dishes put away. To help you out, we’ve put together a to-do list to help you ensure your home is ready for 2022. Read on to learn more!

#1 Have your furnace tuned-up.

If you haven’t already done so this heating season, have your furnace inspected and cleaned by a professional. A skilled heating technician will check all working components of your unit to be sure they are free of any dirt or dust build-up, and he or she will also be able to detect potential problems early on before they may result in a breakdown of the system.

A professional heating technician will inspect your furnace for safety issues. If you have a heater that operates on natural gas, he or she will make sure that there aren’t any natural gas or carbon monoxide (CO) leaks originating from the system. The technician will also check electrical wiring to ensure there aren’t any warning signs of damage, such as fraying, which could ultimately become a fire hazard.

Also remember to replace your air filter on a monthly basis — more often if you have pets, smokers, or individuals in your home who suffer from severe allergies or respiratory problems. A dirty air filter could jeopardize the indoor air quality of your family’s home as well as the efficiency of your heating system.

Maintaining this vital appliance will help to keep your family warm and toasty in the months ahead while we wait for spring weather to arrive!

#2 Check on your roof.

It’s not uncommon for snow and ice storms to cause damage to a home’s roof. Before the dead of winter arrives, now is a good time to perform a visual inspection of it. If you notice any areas with missing or damaged shingles, have them repaired or replaced immediately.

Failure to do so could eventually lead to additional damage, such as water intrusion. This could jeopardize the structural integrity of your roof, and it may also lead to dangerous mold or mildew growth.

#3 Test your CO and smoke detectors.

Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors monthly to be sure that they’re working as expected. If you have an alarm that operates on batteries, make sure you are replacing them at least twice a year. As a rule, you should have a CO and smoke detector installed outside every bedroom in your home, as well as on each level.

Now is also a great time to make sure your family is aware of, and has practiced, your emergency evacuation plan in case there is a fire or other situation in your home that would necessitate everyone leaving the structure.

#4 Restock your home’s emergency kit.

If you don’t already have an emergency kit prepped for your home, there’s no better time than now to get one started. Already have one? Make sure you restock supplies that you may have used, or which may be expired — such as medications, ointments, batteries, etc.

Your kit should include:

• Flashlight
• Candles (either standard or battery-powered)
• Portable radio to check for news and weather updates
• Spare batteries
• Enough canned or non-perishable food items, and clean drinking water, to last several days for your family
• Extra blankets and cold-weather clothing in case you are without heat for a while
• Power bank(s) to charge cell phones, laptops, and tablets
• Stocked first aid kit (bandages, gauze, pain reliever, thermometer, tweezers, sterile gloves, etc.)
  
  

#5 Protect your home’s vital lines, systems, and appliances.

Be proactive about protecting your family’s finances this year by enrolling in a home warranty plan NOW — before you need it. At Pivotal Home Solutions, we provide homeowners with a variety of protection plans for their air conditioner, furnace, water/sewer lines, and more.

To see if a plan is available in your area, visit us online and enter your ZIP code. Available plans and pricing will be displayed. If you have questions about coverage or billing, give us a call at any time, or chat with a customer service representative by clicking the Click to Chat tab on the right side of the page.