• Tip #1:

  Keep your clothes dryer free of lint build-up. This is a little-known yet valuable energy-saving safety practice. In addition to normal lint removal between dryer loads, you should periodically take the screen to a sink to remove not-so-obvious buildup of  with a light cleaner. Fabric softeners in dryer sheets, for example, can build up on lint screens to the point of not allowing moisture or even air to pass through. This not only makes the dryer work harder (meaning you use more energy to dry your clothes), it can be dangerous if the dryer overheats. You can test your dryer screen for air or water blockage by running water over it at the sink to see if any water makes it through the screen. If not, lightly scrub the screen with dishwashing detergent to break up the buildup.

• Tip #2:

  Use food dye to check for costly toilet tank leaks. Toilets that are more than 10 years old can develop unnoticeable leaks that allow water to constantly drain into the bowl. Many people don't realize such leaks are costing them hundreds and even thousands of dollars in wasted water over time. The cause of such leakage is usually a worn toilet tank flapper, which is the plug at the bottom of the tank that opens each time the flush lever is pushed. These are relatively cheap items found in any hardware store (and in many grocery stores) that most anyone can install, so a quick check for a leaky flapper is well worth the time and cost to replace it. To test for a leak, put few drops of a dark food coloring such as blue or green in the tank of your toilet (where the water is stored for each flush). Food coloring can be purchased in the spice aisle of your grocery store, but if you can't locate it just as a clerk. If after 15 minutes (without flushing), you notice the color you used has "invaded" the water in the toilet bowl, that means there's a leak and it's time to change the flapper.

• Tip #3:

  Determine how long your furnace filters last. Periodic replacement of furnace filters are one of the most neglected routine tasks of a homeowner. If a furnace filter goes unchanged beyond its filtering capacity or life, it can cause major problems, starting with expensive damage to your furnace. Modern furnace blowers can burn out trying to force air through a dirty filter. Aside from the potential for expensive furnace damage, dirty filters inhibit the ability of your heating or air conditioning to warm or cool down your home, which can cost you untold dollars in energy bills. To minimize your energy bill, make sure you. change your filter (today, if it hasn't been changed in a few weeks). With a new filter in place, start checking it once a week until you believe it needs to be replaced to establish consistent pattern of how long the brand and type you're using will last. Once you establish how long a filter will last in your home, mark your calendar to be sure to replace it at the time you established. Your furnace and A/C will operate more efficiently as a result, and with fewer costly maintenance and repair bills! We recommend you buy your filters  by the box (dozen to the box), which will also save you money.

Check back here periodically for more safety and energy/money-saving tips from your local home and building inspection experts at Inspect Services!