It’s July in Arizona! Besides being hot, it’s clear that this year everyone is trying to spend money wisely. GetAZmoving and Homeminders are pleased to provide a free subscription to Homeminders (a $58 value) along with these four tips to save money and make your home safer for your family.

Air Conditioning – Change your filters!
Your A/C system can’t run efficiently if it doesn’t have proper air flow. An old, dirty filter reduces the effectiveness of your system – air-flow is reduced and stress is placed on your system, which will shorten its life. With cooling costs over $200 per month for the average Phoenix home and a new HVAC system running over $5,000, you can really save money with this simple task. In Arizona, you should change your filters every 30 days during the hot season.

Bonus: a clean air filter (especially the HEPA filters) can improve the air quality for you and your family – which should make you breathe easier!

Air Conditioning – Programmable thermostats
Thermostat technology has improved – both in the accuracy of the temperature reading and the introduction of scheduled timers that let you automatically raise the temperature if you’re going to be away for more than eight hours. You can even alter the temperature during the night – as your body temperature cools while you sleep, you may not need to cool the house to the same temperature – and still feel comfortable. Check the EnergyStar® website and your local hardware store. Installation is easy and for less than $50, you may save over $100 this year.

Water heater – Flush away the sediment at the bottom of your system!
Arizona is infamous for the hard water that flows through our pipes. Many homeowners opt for a water softener to reduce mineral buildup, but even if you have a water treatment system, you should drain your water heater at least once per year (two times per year is better). The elements that heat your water can become caked (or even submerged) in sediment. Draining the water on a periodic basis will improve the efficiency of your heater and extend its useful life. Don’t forget to look for leaks or corrosion (early signs that a leak may be imminent) while you’re flushing the system.

Homeminders experts weigh in on the benefits of draining your water heater.

Roof – Check yours before (and after) the Monsoons hit
While our homes don’t go through the extreme cold temperatures other areas of the country experience, our sun and monsoon winds can wreak havoc and loosen or blow away shingles and tiles. Before and after each storm, survey your home (from the ground – use binoculars) to see if any damage has occurred. Only if you have the proper equipment and physical capabilities should you climb on your roof. If anything seems amiss, be sure to have repairs completed immediately. With the heavy rain our monsoons can bring, even a small leak can cause significant internal damage and even ruin your personal belongings. While insurance may cover repairs, your deductible may still drain thousands of dollars from your wallet, and you don’t need the frustration of going through major repairs.

Sign-up now for Homeminders and save even more time and money with getAZmoving’s FREE offer.
Homeminders is a web-service that helps you save time and money while making your home a safer place. Ethix Media, LLC., makers of Homeminders (a Scottsdale based company) is excited to partner with getAZmoving.org to offer a FREE two-year subscription to all getAZmoving readers (a $58 value). No credit card is required and it only takes two minutes to register. This offer can be redeemed through September 7, 2009 using promo code: getazmoving at www.homeminders.com/getazmoving.

Jack Cleeves launched Homeminders in 2005. He also has vast experience in residential and commercial construction and home maintenance industries.