Heating + Cooling

See something in the corner of your eye from time to time? Things flying through the air? Think you’re living in a haunted home? We’ll help you find out and deal with the ghostly presence making your home their life-after-death nest. 

So you have a ghost presence in your house. Congratulations! First, that means your house is way cooler than your next door neighbor’s, and second, you should have some awesome ghost stories for your Halloween party. But really — what do you do with a ghost “living” inside your house? We have a few suggestions.

#1 – Make sure you actually have a ghost

Are you 100 percent sure your house has paranormal activity? While a Realtor.com 2018 study found that 2 in every 5 people believe they have lived in a haunted house, your ghostly happenings could be signaling that you need to complete some necessary DIY projects – if you are haunt-free, that is.

Lights turning on and off?

Don’t assume it’s due to a ghost. It could easily be loose or insecure wiring in a fixture, which is a leading cause of house fires. Check the fixture that’s blinking (only after shutting off the circuit breaker), and also inspect the breaker box for worn connectors and the main electrical panel for loose service conductors. When in doubt, consult a licensed electrician. You can also find additional electrical safety tips in the vipHome.app.

Getting paranormal scents in your home?

These range from stenches like rotten eggs, sulfur, and mildew to pleasant aromas like perfume or fruit. If your paranormal smells are more rotten than pleasant, look around for evidence of tiny intruders, such as droppings, gnawed holes, oily rub marks, and food crumbs. A rotten smell can be an indication of the unfortunate demise of a mouse or squirrel in your wall, stairwell railing, pipe, etc. If you suspect you have a small creature in your home, contact a pest control specialist. If you’re routinely smelling a mildew scent, try using a dehumidifier.

Cold spots in your home?

They could be a ghost — or perhaps your furnace’s burner isn’t lit. It could also mean your unit’s air filter is blocked. Complete a quick inspection yourself, or hire a professional. This is also a great idea if you haven’t completed your annual winter home maintenance, which can help you save money on your energy bill.

Hear strange noises?

Say hi! The ghosts might be trying to communicate with you. It could also mean that your HVAC unit may need servicing, so you may want to call your service professional.

#2 – Record your ghost sightings

Not all ghosts can be tracked on video cameras — with the exception of Disneyland, it seems — so you might have better luck keeping a running record. Determine if there’s any regularity to your ghost sightings or if anything you do specifically conjures your ghost. This information can help you find who your ghost was in their previous life and why they decided to make your home their haunting ground. Use vipHome.app’s HomeLog to document your findings for quick reference during the next step (or for a ghost hunter).

 #3 – Research your home

If you’re already in your home, decide if this is something you want to know. If so, learn how to uncover the history of your home, or visit the local library for the town’s history. That might help you find out more about your ghost and also come in handy if you intend to sell your haunted home in the future.

The one thing you should absolutely not do – Get rid of your ghost

According to Realtor.com, just under half of all homeowners (44 percent) suspected or were fully aware they were moving into a haunted house. Another third said they would buy a haunted house if it had a lower price, a bigger kitchen, or was located in a better neighborhood. (Of course, this means you’ll have expectations to fulfill as the neighborhood’s resident haunted house.) Another 18 percent said they didn’t even need perks to buy a haunted house.

Then again, 49 percent of home buyers said, “Nothing can make me buy [a haunted home],” but maybe they just haven’t gotten a look at that kitchen yet. (It has a breakfast nook!)

How to keep your home ghost-free

Tip #2: One outlet, one plug

One of the most important heating safety tips is to make sure your home’s electrical wiring can take your specific heater. Then plug only one device into one outlet. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord and mind those three feet!

Tip #4: Serve it the right fuel

You’re burning daylight. With the usual suspects—Jack Frost, snow, and higher utility bills—arriving sooner rather than later, you need to prepare your home for those long, cold winter nights. We have a list of affordable home heating systems maintenance that is so quick and easy, you might be able to complete it during that extra hour you get back when Daylight Savings Time ends. (O.K., probably not. Sleep that extra hour, but then get up and get this done.)

You want to know that the cool breeze across the back of your neck is from a poltergeist, not your ceiling fan. With your fan turned off, use a ladder to reach the small switch on the side that changes the way your fan runs – from counterclockwise to clockwise. This simple action sends the warm air flowing up and keeps the cool air from blowing down (on you).

Make your furnace filters disappear – and reappear!

Before the cold settles in for the winter, replace your old furnace filters. Having dirty air filters lowers your home’s energy efficiency and can create an unsafe environment. How often you need to replace your air filters varies depending upon the make and model. Some units are high maintenance and require a change every month. Others require you check on them only once or twice a year. 

The key to keeping warm in the winter is insulation.

Insulate your attic for heat retention, which should lower your utility bill. Consider investing in a stair cover for your attic’s hatchway. Insulate your water pipes with foam rubber sleeves or use insulation wrap to keep them cozy all winter long. Finally, insulate your window treatments to add an extra layer of warmth—like another blanket—to keep the cold out and the heat in. Don’t forget to check your insulation annually as part of your home heating maintenance list.

Lower your heating bill by replacing your old weatherstripping – no trick!

Keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

This is one super easy fall heating maintenance trick. In less than 10 minutes, you can seal your door by pressing the adhesive edge of the weatherstripping into the molding along the doorway. Cut away excess stripping and voila! You’ll enjoy reduced airflow and fewer drafts. Complete weatherstripping on your windows with the help of a peel and stick roll (or a caulk gun). Depending upon the choice of weatherstripping, including felt, rubber, and even metal, you may see savings in your heating bill up to 30 percent.

Save energy, save money!

It doesn’t need to be super fancy, but a programmable thermostat can help you save money. By lowering temperatures at certain times of the day—say, during work hours when you won’t be home (wishful thinking)—you can also lower your heating bill. Get more fall home maintenance tips now.

Call before you lose heat.

One of the most frightening nightmares you can have is a cold winter’s night. Before you flip the switch that magically turns your air conditioner into a heater, call a professional to inspect and service the system. This helps to ensure that the heat will be there when you need it, and getting your unit serviced annually can help to keep it running longer – saving you money over time.

Hocus pocus – home in focus

A staple in southern states to regulate humidity levels, humidifiers add moisture to your home during winter and help to slow mold growth during the summer. They also keep your home air fresh and allergen free, but that requires you to replace the unit’s air filter (a.k.a. water panel or evaporator pad) frequently.

Recently, a member of the vipTeam replaced his whole-house humidifier’s air filter, so he created his step-by-step guide to help you how to replace your humidifier filter, too!

(Please note: The unit referenced in this article is an Aprilaire Humidifier, so while this guide gives a general overview of the humidifier filter replacement process, different types of humidifiers and different humidifier models may require additional – or even slightly altered – steps.)

Step #1: Turn off power to the unit

For extra safety, unplug the unit’s power cord, and if you’re not sure where it is or can’t get to it, then turn off the corresponding breaker in your home’s electrical panel.

Step #2: Open the front cover

Depending on the unit, the cover may have two locking mechanisms – one on the top and one on the bottom. Squeeze them at the same time and pull the cover off.

Notes our teammate, “I could just open the bottom of the unit and replace the filter; however, I open the top to remove the cover completely for easy installation and cleaning of the tray.”

Once you have the unit open, you might need to disconnect the water tube or even shut the damper, depending on your unit’s make and model.

Step #3: Remove the filter

A few quick tugs should dislodge the filter’s tray. Make a note of any colored dots and the positioning of the water tube, so you know how to replace the filter tray later. (You can add this information to the Notes section of the vipHome.app!)

Then unsnap the top of the tray and pull the filter through the open section. Discard the used filter.

Step #4: Clean the tray

The tray may have mineral deposits, dirt, dust, and other build-up. Take the tray outside and hose it down, removing all the materials. Dry.

Step #5: Replace your humidifier filter

This is the main event! Slip the new filter into the tray, making sure that the color mark (or dot) is on top. Snap the tray’s top into place and then put the filter tray back into the unit. The hose hole should be on top and the drain hole on the bottom. If you need to fit the hose back into the tray or open the damper, now’s the time.

Step #6: Reattach the cover

 This should snap back into place, too.

Step #7: Plug back in the power source

You might also need to turn on the breaker in your home’s electrical panel.

Step #8: Turn the humidistat back on

If you hear a click in the unit and see or feel water running through the drain tube, then the humidifier is working. If you don’t see any of those signs, you should contact a professional to service the unit.

Step #9: Buy a replacement air filter for next time

This unit needs the filter replaced annually, usually during autumn. By buying a new filter once you replace the old one, you can make sure you’re all set for the next replacement. This will also help to ensure you buy the right filter since using the wrong one can damage the unit.

Our teammate ordered two more Aprilaire humidifier filters after changing his current one. Together, the filters cost approximately $23.00. (No word on if he scored free shipping.)

How often should you replace a humidifier filter?

Upload your unit’s manual into our home management app, so you’ll always buy the right filter. You can also use the HomeLog section as a quick reference guide for all your essential home maintenance replacement parts, such as air filters for furnaces, air conditioning units, HVAC units, and, of course, humidifiers.

If you need to order a new filter every season, then it’s important to have the filter’s specifications on hand. If you need to buy one annually, like the vipTeam, then it’s important to have the information in a place you can easily find it every 12 months.

It’s also imperative to get personalized reminders (which our home management app can send), so you know when it’s time to change your humidifier filters. This will help to keep the unit running properly and your home’s air smelling spring-time fresh – all year round!

Stay on top of home maintenance

Homeownership can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. The vipHome.app can help. In less than four minutes, enjoy a new way to manage your home. Simply download the app, register your home, and enjoy a simplified homeownership experience.