6 tasks to book into your yearly home service calendar

Everyone wants to ensure their home stays up-do-date year-round, but all that scheduling can be confusing. From chimney sweeps to air conditioning inspections, here's what to do and when.

• Build-up on the elements of a hot water heater cause it to function less efficiently.
• Flushing by attaching a hose to the lower outlet and running the water out into your garden for a few minutes will remove most of the deposits and sediment.

• Whether you have wired-in or battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors a monthly test will ensure that you sleep soundly knowing that you are protected.
• If the test is negative replace batteries or if you have wired-in detectors call an electrician to have them repaired.

• A dirty furnace and dusty ducts are costly as your heating system is not functioning with maximum efficiency.
• Cleaning the ducts also will reduce dust in your home in the winter months.

• Over the winter months when you enjoy warm and cozy fires soot will build up in your chimney. Highly flammable creosote gets deposited in the upper parts of a chimney.
•  If this is not removed by a chimney cleaner you run the risk of having a chimney fire. Chimney fires are very dangerous.

• An expert inspection of your air conditioning system will ensure that it is running at peak efficiency.
• Cleaning of ducts will not only reduce the cost of air conditioning, it will also reduce the amount of dust in your home. Clean air means a healthy environment.

• You will be surprised by how much the value of the contents of your home change. Ensure that you have the right amount of protection.
• Call your insurance agent and tell them immediately of any renovations or changes you make to your dwelling.
• They will affect the replacement value of your home. Review all the deductible amounts to be sure that you are comfortable with them.