Saturday, February 18, 2017

Frugal Family: How to Save Cash on Essential Home Repairs



Keeping your home in proper working order can be expensive. You cannot live without a properly functioning refrigerator, furnace or electrical wiring, and these things require professional repairs. 

If you feel like your home is a money pit, these four tips can help you to save on essential home repairs.

Allow for Flexible Scheduling


Many companies charge a fee if you have them come to your home and make repairs on the weekend or during the evening hours. If you can, accept an appointment that does not involve any off-hours fees. 




Ask the company if they will waive your service call or discount it if you have them make a costly repair or replace the broken equipment.

Look for Discounts


Visit the company's website and social media pages. Many companies offer a new customer discount on repair services. 

Look on other community deal websites to see if there are any special offers on the services you need. If you are a senior, member of the military or student, ask if the company offers a discount. 

Installing a Water Heater


Water heaters last for about eight to ten years before they need to be replaced. Installing a water heater could help to cut down on your utility bills. 

Professionals, like those at HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, know that you should consider choosing a water heater that has the Energy Star rating. These appliances use about 30 percent less electricity or natural gas compared to their same-capacity counterparts without the rating. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating water accounts for about 17 percent of your home's energy usage, you could save a lot of money this way.

Join a Maintenance Club


Consider joining your heating, plumbing or electrical service's maintenance club. Preventive maintenance on your home's essential systems can prevent the need for many repairs. 




For example, replacing the air filter of your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump every 90 days helps to prevent the motor and fans from becoming dirty and losing their lubrication. 

Maintaining your home's heating, ventilation, air conditioning and other appliances also helps them to use less electricity or natural gas and to last longer. Some companies also offer a discount on repairs if you are part of the maintenance club.

Always be sure to hire a licensed and insured professional to do repairs on your home. A professional who does the job right the first time will cost less in money and time. These four tips will help to ensure that your home's systems are operating properly.


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