Home ownership is a big responsibility. When something breaks or disaster strikes, you’re in charge of fixing it instead of a landlord. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent costly appliance repairs and replacements. Here are four home appliances that you should maintain to save money and keep them running longer.

1. Furnace

The furnace in your home is an important part of the central air system. The furnace is responsible for warm air and is regulated by a thermostat. Regular furnace maintenance Walnut Creek CA is essential to keep your furnace running efficiently. During maintenance, a technician should inspect and clean your furnace to extend the life of the unit.

2. Air Conditioner

One of the best things you can do to properly maintain your air conditioner is regularly replace the air filter. A dirty filter makes it difficult for air to pass through and reduces the efficiency of the unit. In addition to replacing the filter, it’s wise to have a trained technician inspect and clean your air conditioner. The coils, aluminum fins and drain channels also need to be cleaned.

3. Refrigerator

The coils of a refrigerator are generally to blame if your refrigerator stops working. Fortunately, there is a fairly easy fix: clean the coils. Most refrigerators have a front grille that can be removed to access the coils. Purchase a coil cleaning brush at your local home improvement store to do this maintenance task on your own.

4. Washer and Dryer

One thing you can do to maintain your washer and dryer is not overload them. Many homeowners think they’re being more efficient by cramming more clothes into the machine and doing less laundry. Unfortunately, this causes stress to the various parts of your laundry machines.

Being a homeowner comes with certain responsibilities, such as maintaining your home appliances. Take the time to know how to properly care for your appliances in order to save money and prevent costly repairs.