New homeowner essentials
The first things worth knowing about your home.
10 steps · about 6.5 hr in all
Start this plan in Haven
- Test every smoke and CO alarmAn alarm only protects you if it actually sounds, and pressing its test button is the only way to know.10 min · Easy · Monthly
- Find and label your main water shutoffWhen a pipe bursts, this is the one valve that stops water entering the whole home and there’s no time to hunt for it then; turn it gently, and call a plumber if it’s stuck.20 min · Easy · One time
- Rekey your locks and reset garage and keypad codesYou can’t know who still has a key to a home you just moved into, so have the exterior locks rekeyed and reset the garage opener, keypad and smart-lock codes.1 hr · Call a pro · One time · Doesn’t usually apply to apartments
- Find your main breaker and label your panelIn an electrical emergency or before a repair you need to cut power fast, and a labeled panel tells you which switch does it.1 hr · Easy · One time
- Replace your HVAC filterThe filter keeps dust out of your heating and cooling system; check it monthly and change it at least every three months, sooner with pets or heavy use.15 min · Easy · Every 3 months · Homes with ducted heating or central air
- Check the age of your smoke and CO alarmsAlarms wear out: replace smoke alarms 10 years after the manufacture date printed on them, and CO alarms on the schedule on their label.15 min · Easy · One time
- Find the age of your water heater and HVAC systemThe rating label on each unit usually shows or encodes its manufacture date, and ENERGY STAR says to consider replacing an AC or heat pump past 10 years and a furnace past 15.20 min · Easy · One time · Doesn’t usually apply to apartments
- Get a multipurpose (ABC) fire extinguisherA multipurpose extinguisher can stop a small fire while everyone gets out; for a pan fire, slide a lid on and turn off the burner instead.30 min · Easy · One time
- Clear the dryer vent ductLint that gets past the filter collects in the duct, restricts airflow, and can overheat the dryer; long or rooftop runs are a job for a vent-cleaning service.1 hr · Moderate · Yearly · Doesn’t usually apply to apartments
- Flush sediment from your tank water heaterMinerals settle at the bottom of the tank and draining them keeps it heating efficiently; if it’s over 10 years old or has never been flushed, ask a plumber first.1.5 hr · Moderate · Yearly · Homes with a tank water heater
Keep this plan for your own home.
Haven fits the steps to your house, reminds you when each one is due, and Clark walks you through any of them.