Your First Four Seasons in Your New Home

Buying your first home is a big, exciting moment, but once you’ve unpacked, the real fun begins. There’s a lot to know and do to help your home run like the dream it’s meant to be. The pros at Seider Heating, Plumbing & Electrical have been helping new and experienced homeowners since 1912, and they can help you, too. In this guide, we’ve broken down the basics by season, with a few need-to-know tips to help you make your new house feel like home.

Spring Things to Do Around the House

Cooling Tip

Starting your air conditioner with the cover on damages the motor. Leave it off—you don’t need one anyway.

Electrical Tip

Save $75 a year by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents in five frequently used lights.

Plumbing Tip

Fixing a leaky faucet that drips twice a minute saves over a gallon of water every week.

Remodeling Tip

New walk-in showers are great but keep at least one tub for higher resale value.

Get your air conditioner ready with a professional tuneup for higher efficiency and fewer repairs.
Test your sump pump by pouring a five-gallon bucket of water into the pit. This should raise the float and activate the pump. If it doesn’t turn on, call for repair or replacement.
Clean and repair screens to keep pests out and seal around windows to keep AC in for efficiency.

Lubricate exterior locks and hinges, plus garage door tracks, gates, and more.
Apply “weed and feed” to your lawn and sharpen your mower blades.
Clean your dryer vent pipe for cleaner air and a lower fire risk.

Summer Tips That Save Time and Money

Air Quality Tip

Adding a whole-home dehumidifier can help you feel cooler while spending less on air conditioning.

Plumbing Tip

As little as a teaspoon of chemical drain cleaner can destroy a septic field—use an auger instead on clogs.

Heating/Cooling Tip

Install a programmable thermostat and save an average of $150 every year in heating and cooling costs.

Electrical Tip

Any room with running water should have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets.

Flush out AC drain line with bleach twice during the summer to prevent mold and blockages.
Consider an air purifier to alleviate allergies. It can also kill the germs that cause summer colds.
Reseal your deck and driveway every three to five years, and scrape, prime, and repair exterior walls and trim as needed.

Invest in a generator that keeps your home’s comfort and safety systems running, even if a storm knocks out electrical service.
Add outdoor lighting for security and evening enjoyment.

Preparing for Fall in Your New Home

Heating/Cooling Tip

Adding insulation in your attic can save you as much as $600 a year in heating and cooling costs.

Air Quality Tip

Bleach doesn’t stop most mold—it can’t penetrate porous surfaces like drywall or carpet where it thrives.

Plumbing Tip

Don’t flush “flushable” wipes—they don’t break down fast enough to prevent messy clogs.

Electrical Tip

Test the sensor—not just the alarm—on your smoke detector by lighting a wooden match.

Kill cold and flu viruses by adding UV lights to your heating and cooling systems, or replacing bulbs if you already have this add-on for better air quality.
Even if you have gutter guards, clean your gutters at least once a year.
Drain and flush your water heater every year to keep it working better for longer.
Remove leaves and dead plants, and trim branches that give squirrels access to your attic.

Put fresh batteries in your thermostat, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.
Check weather-stripping on all doors and windows and replace any that allows drafts.
Clean behind your refrigerator and vacuum the coils for higher efficiency.

Winter Wins for Comfort

Heating/Cooling Tip

Professional duct sealing—not duct tape—can improve heating and cooling efficiency by 20 to 30%.

Air Quality Tip

A spark of static electricity can measure up to 3,000 volts—stop the shock with a humidifier.

Plumbing Tip

Put a foam faucet protector on outside spigots—it keeps cold air out to prevent costly freeze damage in pipes.

Remodeling Tip

Think you don’t need a licensed plumber or electrician? Your insurance company does!

Schedule annual furnace or boiler maintenance to reduce heating costs.
Stack firewood at least 20 feet from your house to keep mice and termites away.
Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to circulate warm air.
Have your water tested and add a softener, iron filter, or reverse osmosis if needed.

Take control of always-chilly rooms with a ductless system or zoning.
Make sure fire extinguishers are fully charged.
Lower your water heater setting to 120 degrees and save up to five percent.

365 Days of Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical, and Remodeling Service

You never know what to expect with a new home, but you can count on Seider Heating for help. Our heating and cooling technicians, plumbers, and electricians are available every day, at any hour, if you have an emergency. We’re also here for you if you want to talk about ways to make your home more comfortable and efficient in the years ahead.