HomeAdvisor Provides Five Tips To Get Homes In Shape This New Year

GOLDEN, Colo., Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey conducted by HomeAdvisor*, a leading online destination for home repair and improvement, more than half of US homeowners (53 percent) do not engage in any annual maintenance for their home, and only 18 percent of homeowners are very confident in their general knowledge of their home's annual maintenance needs. To help educate homeowners on their home maintenance needs, Amy Matthews, TV Host and HomeAdvisor's Home Improvement Expert, has partnered with HomeAdvisor to develop the HomeAdvisor Home Report Card, a free quiz homeowners can take at HomeAdvisor.com to assess their knowledge of home maintenance and to learn simple steps to improve the health of their home.  Additionally, Matthews offers homeowners five simple, useful tips to keep their homes in shape year round.

"As a homeowner and licensed contractor I know that keeping your house in top shape requires routine care and maintenance," said Matthews. "The Home Report Card will help homeowners determine their overall home knowledge. Additionally, I have five simple tips to help identify important home maintenance needs that can prevent costly unexpected repairs in the future."

Matthews offers homeowners the following five tips to keep their homes in shape this New Year:

Spray Foam Insulation

According to survey findings*, 77 percent of bill-paying US homeowners are at least somewhat concerned about their high energy bills this winter. Small holes in foundation or siding, including anywhere pipes or wires penetrate the envelope of the home, can cause serious heat loss and increased costs. These small crevices can be the equivalent of having a window open all winter.  Matthews recommends using a can of spray foam insulation to seal these cracks to help save money on energy bills.

Hot Water Heater

Hot water heaters are becoming more energy efficient, but a homeowner who is not yet ready to upgrade can still get the best use out of their current appliance.  A helpful tip is to see if the hot water heater is warm to the touch, and if so, to wrap it with an insulated blanket.  This will help it work more efficiently.

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