HVAC & Plumbing Bingo: Do These Things & Win!

September 09, 2024

It doesn’t matter if you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned vet. Whatever your level of homeownership is, you are continuously learning new ways to keep your home safe and comfortable. But have you ever wondered how much you truly know about your HVAC and plumbing?

Well, now’s your chance to find out! We’re going to have a little fun and quiz you on your home service knowledge—consider it HVAC and plumbing Bingo! Below, we’ve created a homeowner’s checklist. For each one you do, give yourself a bingo chip. If you score five chips—bingo—you win! [CN1]

Homeowners’ Checklist

Here are 10 things every homeowner should be doing. Give yourself one bingo chip for each one you do regularly.

1. Fireplace check and cleaning. Fall is approaching. Which means, that those with wood-burning fireplaces will start using them in the upcoming months. Just as you’d call for an annual HVAC inspection, be sure to schedule an annual fireplace cleaning with a professional each year. This helps ensure your chimney is working properly and helps prevent unnecessary accidents.
2. Test smoke alarms and CO² detectors. Try to align your smoke alarm and CO² tests with Daylight Saving Time. This will help you remember to do the check. When you turn your clocks back in the fall or ahead in the spring, remind yourself to test alarms and replace them with fresh batteries.
3. Change air filters regularly. We recommend changing air filters every three months. Regular replacing them allows your system to work efficiently without overworking. For homes with numerous pets or smokers, you may benefit from changing filters more often.
4. Know where your main water shut off valve is located. If you ever have a plumbing emergency, you may have to shut off your main water line before an emergency plumber arrives. Take inventory of where your shut off valve may be. For many homes, it is outside near the water meter. This will most likely be in a covered box and will be positioned on the side of your house, near the street, or in the front of your property near the sidewalk. Some homes also have a water shut off valve located right at the spot where the main water line enters your house. If it’s not there, check the basement, garage, laundry room or under the kitchen sink.
5. Insulate outdoor pipes.  If you have exposed pipes at your home, consider insulating them prior to the winter season. In sub-freezing temperatures, exposed pipes can easily freeze, and, in some cases, burst, increasing the need for emergency plumbing services.
6. Install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats learn your living patterns and can adjust temperatures accordingly to when you’re home, away, or sleeping. This may help you save money on energy bills. Plus, most of these devices can be controlled from an app on your phone.
7. Caulk and seal drafty windows and doors. As fall and winter approach, it’s key to keep your indoor space as cozy as possible. Do a thorough check of doorframes and windows to see if any air is escaping. If so, use window stripping or caulking to block airflow.
8. Schedule regular HVAC maintenance. Annual HVAC maintenance is critical for homeowners. Twice-yearly checks‚—one in summer and one in fall—ensure that your system is working safely and efficiently. These tune-ups may also help prevent breakdowns.
9. Fix a running toilet.  Do you have a toilet that runs continuously? If so, you could be wasting gallons of water without even realizing it! A common reason for a running toilet is an outdated flapper. Many times, a replacement flapper will fix the issue. These can be found at your local hardware store.
10. Avoid putting bad stuff in your garbage disposal.  Just because it’s called a garbage disposal doesn’t mean all garbage can go inside! Avoid placing eggshells, coffee grinds, grease, stringy vegetables, animal bones, and full citrus peels inside (chopped up peels are ok to help freshen up a smelly drain).

Bingo! Are you a Winner?

So, how’d you do? If you do at least five of the items in our checklist, then you achieved five-in-a-row and can call yourself a bingo winner! If you still need to gain some home service knowledge, don’t sweat it. Blue Dot is always here to help you with all your furnace tune-ups, water heater repair issues, and emergency plumbing services, too.