Category: Scottsdale Home Warranty

Getting your home ready for the long, hot summer is one improvement project that will help keep you cool until the thermometer starts dropping again. You may also find that spending a little time and money now will make it easier to maintain your home through the different seasons.

You may want to start by doing an energy audit. Walk around the outside of your house and look to make sure all of your windows are sealed properly around their frames. If not, you may want to get some chalking and seal any cracks between the frame and siding. There are several types of the product available that are made out of very durable silicon, which can dry in a few hours.

Next check the outside vents from the attic to make sure they are in good condition and are not blocked by excess dirt or dust. Give your entire roof a good going over too. You will want to make sure any fan covers were not blown off by any recent storms. Loose or missing shingles or other roofing materials will also need to be replaced or repaired. Check any windows going to your basement to make sure they are also sealed properly to help keep that area cooler. Next you will need to check inside your attic if you have one. Putting insulation materials throughout this area will help keep the heat from the roof from getting down into your living space. Many new products are available that are more affordable. Many home improvement stores carry rolls of insulation material you can install yourself without using any special tools. If you have enough in your budget you may want to hire professional installers to do it for you. No matter how much you can afford, you will find that adding or upgrading the insulation may dramatically improve your ability to keep your home cooler in summer.

Some parts of your home may get warmer than others if they are exposed to the sun the entire afternoon. And it may be harder to cool off that part of your house even after the sun goes down. You may want to plant shade trees that have broad leaves outside any large windows to block the sun. You may also want to consider having your windows tinted to reflect the sun and keep it from heating up your home. You can find these types of products at many hardware stores to install yourself. If installed properly tinted windows can last for many years. If planting trees or tinting your windows are not options you can buy heavy curtains you can pull close when you are not at home. The curtains will not allow any ventilation from outside but will block the sun too.

If you have an air conditioning system you may want to check to make sure it’s working properly too. Inspect the outdoor unit and make sure there isn’t any debris blocking it. Also inspect all of the electrical writing and any other hoses to make sure they are not cracked. You can turn the system on at the thermostat and check to see if it’s blowing cold air into your home. Inspect the air duct system for any leaks where sections of the tubing are taped together. Put on new tape to secure the sections to each other if needed. You may want to check the vents going into each room and remove any dirty or dust that can block the flow of air. Thanks to advances in cooling technology you do not have to invest in an air conditioning system for your entire home. You can buy a portable air conditioning unit that does not require installation. Just plug it in and it will cool off the room. No matter where you live you will want to be prepared for when the temperatures get too hot. By doing some preventative maintenance on your home now you can be comfortable inside while escaping the summer heat outside.

Purchasing your very own home is an exciting thing. It’s probably something that you have been looking forward to for your entire life. As a homeowner, you will quickly find that there are a lot of things around your home that need maintenance. No matter when your home was built, it is important to keep up on maintenance and be aware when something is going wrong. If something does go wrong, hopefully you have a good home warranty in place to help you take care of it. Wiring problems are one area of home maintenance where things can go wrong whether or not you had your home wired professionally, recently, or a long time ago. It’s true that your home likely had to pass some sort of inspection when it was built, but that doesn’t make it immune to problems down the road. Here are some common electrical wiring problems you could find around your home and how your home warranty can cover them.

Sometimes the power goes off and there seems to be no apparent reason. You look all over for the source, but can’t seem to identify what would cause the power in your home to go off. Once you check the circuit breakers, you may discover that the breakers have been tripped. There can be various reasons why the breakers in your home would trip. Sometimes the breakers are wired incorrectly, there is a poor connection with the breaker, or there is some issue with the outlet connected to the breaker.

Overloading can be another wiring problem that can cause issues in your home. Overload is when you have too many things going on at once, such as having too many lamps plugged into your wall or extension cords running through your home. This can cause different items and components to heat up and could cause a fire—or trip your breakers, as mentioned above.

High wattage bulbs are another common problem. Some homeowners disregard the wattage limit on a given light fixture and put in bulbs that carry a lot more wattage than necessary. This could cause your bulbs to burn out faster, but it also makes the light base extremely hot—which could also put you at risk for a fire in your home.

No matter how many issues the wiring in your home has, you should still find your electricity bill is staying around normal. If you notice your bill is extremely high, you might want to find out how much your home is actually using and whether or not your meter needs fixing. When your wiring is affecting your bills, it can be advisable to get help identifying the problem as quickly as possible.

Home warranties can be useful in situations where your home is having wiring issues. Although a warranty is not exactly like an insurance policy, it can still protect you and your possessions. With a home warranty in place, you may be able to get someone to come out and fix your wiring problems free of cost to you, for instance. If the wiring problems affected certain appliances in your home that are covered under your home warranty, you may also be able to get those replaced at no cost to you. When you purchase your home warranty, you should make sure you know what it does and does not cover. Having a home warranty that covers electrical wiring can be extremely useful, however, as wiring problems are bound to occur eventually no matter how old or new your home may be.

Owning a home is very exciting, but it also brings with it a lot of responsibility. There are many different common wiring problems you can run into with your home, from tripping breakers to unexplained electricity bills and more. Getting home warranty coverage over the wiring in your home can be very beneficial, especially if you have no idea why you are having such wiring problems. Before purchasing your home warranty make sure you understand exactly what it covers. This way when problems arise, you can rest assured that your warranty will back you up.

Buying a home is generally the largest purchase that an individual will make.  Costly repairs and replacement of older items that can be found in an existing home are not usually things that a new homeowner wants to deal with.  It can be both expensive and time consuming.  Unfortunately, as a home ages it is bound to have some items that need to be repaired or replaced.  To protect your investment and your sanity when buying a piece of real estate, be sure to investigate home warranty options.  A home warranty provides coverage that a standard hazard insurance policy would not.  Fill in the gaps in your home insurance policy with a home warranty.

Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Coverage vs. Home Warranty

In order to close on a home it is required to have a homeowner’s insurance policy of some sort in place.  The lending company can even require a homeowner to obtain specific coverage levels or endorsements to ensure the risk they are taking on as the lender would be lessened.  Only under rare circumstances would a homeowner get away without having an insurance policy on his home.  It’s simply a must have item.  There are always gaps in coverage that provides the insurance company a way to wiggle out of some responsibility, however.  In order to fill these gaps, particularly in the first year of homeownership, a homeowner can obtain a home warranty to provide coverage where the insurance policy typically ends.  Major appliances and electrical, heating, and plumbing systems would be covered.  The out of pocket expense to obtain a home warranty is negligible, particularly when compared with the coverage it provides.

Manage Unexpected Household Expenses with a Home Warranty

A home warranty can protect you from having to deal with the expenses of repair and replacement items within your home. In fact, it can help you manage those items which will eventually expire in a way that reaches well beyond a standard insurance policy’s provisions.  Usually a home warranty is one year in length and covers major appliances and systems that an insurance policy does not.  A basic warranty would provide coverage for the following items:

• Ductwork
• Central heating
• Air conditioning
• Plumbing systems, stoppages and toilets
• Water heaters
• Electrical systems
• Telephone wiring
• Garage door openers
• Ceiling fans
• Ovens, ranges, cooktops
• Garbage disposal
• Dishwashers

In addition to these items listed here, there are many more systems and appliances that would be covered under the provisions of a home warranty.  Rather than worry about the expenses associated with these items during the first year of homeownership, manage them with the purchase of a home warranty.

The only thing nicer than having an air conditioner in the summer is having an air conditioner that works. It’s best to make sure that your air conditioner is working before the weather starts to warm up. Prevention is always more efficient and usually cheaper than a solution. So make sure that your air conditioner is in good working order before you need it.

Perform a Home Energy Analysis

A home energy analysis will let you know where most of your energy is going and ways that you can cut back on your energy use. A home energy analysis can also give you an idea of how much it will cost to implement energy saving strategies and how much of a return investment you can see. By getting an energy analysis, you can find out how you’re losing cool air and money during the warmer months of the year. If you like, you can also have a qualified technician personally visit you at your home to perform the energy analysis with special equipment. The technician might also give you some energy saving products that you can put to use, like compact florescent light bulbs.

HVAC Maintenance

If you have a home warranty, it’s recommended that you have a HVAC unit maintenance check performed every six months by your warranty provider in order to catch any minor problems that you might be having before they become major problems, major problems that cost you major amounts of money. Maintenance checks can keep your A/C from going on the fritz and save you from possibly spending days without a working air conditioner.

Enroll in Demand Conversation

Check with your utility department to see if they offer a demand conservation program where they switch on your central air conditioning system, electric water heater, heat pump and pool pump to efficiently and safely cycle your air conditioner’s air compressors for short bursts of time whenever an abundance of energy is being used during the warmer months of the year. Demand conservation programs can actually earn you some money on your summer utility bill.

Look for Energy Efficiency Tips

You can also prepare your A/C unit for the summer by looking up tips online that will help you use your home’s energy more efficiently. If you’re trying to go green or reduce your carbon footprint, home energy is a great place to start. You’ll find that most of the tips probably won’t cost you much at all and that you can start implementing them immediately.
Do everything you can to prepare you air conditioner for the summer season. Not only will everyone in your house appreciate it, your wallet will too.

Home warranty coverage has never been mandatory. This differs from many other types of insurances. In stark contrast is automobile insurance, which is enforced with a fine in most states. Other optional insurances include life insurance, health insurance (for now), and house payment insurance. Whether a family takes advantage of these insurances depends on their current financial circumstances, their sense of responsibility, and their ability to produce a long-range financial plan. On the other hand, home warranty coverage, although optional, tends to be considered essential to many who contract it.

When a responsible person owns a home, they are concerned about two things: utility and aesthetics. In other words, they want things to work and they want the house to look good. The problem is that when there is a problem with a home or one of the major appliances fails, it is often an expensive repair prospect. For a family that is living on a month-to-month budget, this can mean that the appliance is not going to be fixed for at least a month. If the appliance in question is the air conditioner, and it breaks during the summer, the problems with waiting a month are obvious. Besides the discomfort, the family members may become terminally irritable, and health could be affected. Similar scenarios can be constructed for failures involving the water heater, the house heating system, or the washer / dryer system. This is the first bastion provided by the home warranty coverage, that repairs for key appliances are done within a few hours or days. When critical appliances like the water heater cause a flood that cannot wait for a lengthy repair, home warranty coverage can include emergency service, which can bring a qualified repairperson to your premises almost immediately at any time of the day or weekend.

The second thing that concerns a homeowner is the look of his home. It concerns the neighbors as well. Due to financial circumstances, a family may justify putting off repairs that affect the look of the home, but neighbors may not be so understanding. A home in disrepair lowers the values of the homes in the entire neighborhood. If your neighbor is trying to sell his home, it can cost him actual money. It also attacks the sophistication of the neighborhood, the elements that build a healthy pride in the inhabitants. Of course, not everyone cares what the neighbors think. More fools, they. However, they hurt themselves as well when the state of their home begins to destroy their own pride and self-esteem. Letting your apartment or rented home go to pot a little is one thing, but not taking care of your own property can really be damaging to the psyche.

Of course, you cannot buy what you cannot pay for, but this is when home warranty coverage can be so important. Although a family may struggle to keep up with the costs of home repair, especially when they all come at once, the cost of an annual home warranty is only in the range of several hundred dollars. If a family can budget this amount, then they can take care of problems concerning both how the house looks and how the house works. They can keep their beautiful home looking good and they can make sure that their life goes smoothly and efficiently with the benefit of working appliances.

If you have ever had your air conditioners break down in the middle of the summer or your heater stop working on an incredibly cold day, you know how uncomfortable and inconvenient it is. While it is great to have a home warranty company you can rely on to be there when something breaks, regular maintenance and checks of your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system can save you a lot of time and money by hopefully avoiding a major breakdown. If you have ever had to replace part of your HVAC system, you know it can be very costly. Regular maintenance and checks, coupled with a quality home warranty, can give you the peace of mind that you need as a homeowner.

When considering doing some routine maintenance of your HVAC system, it is not necessary to call a repairman first. As with any home maintenance, it is important to remember to disconnect any power to your unit. There may be more than one thing to disconnect, be sure you have properly disconnected everything or consult a professional to be sure. The first and most important maintenance tip to follow when it comes to your air conditioning unit is to change your air filters regularly. By replacing your filter monthly you protect your air conditioning unit from dust build up and overwork/overexertion which can lead to a breakdown at an inopportune moment. It will also help your air conditioning unit to function more efficiently which can help save money on your energy bills. This is such a simple maintenance tip but one that many forget or overlook, which can be a costly mistake. You will also want to make sure your outdoor unit does not have any debris or clutter too close. You should make sure plants have not overgrown and encroached upon your outdoor unit or that leaves and grass have not piled up near your outdoor unit. In regard to your heating system, you can clean or replace furnace filters monthly. You can also clean your evaporator coil. The coil is located in the air handler/furnace and should be dry. You can clean the coil with the brush attachment from your vacuum.

Seasonal maintenance of your HVAC system is an important step in ensuring your systems will function properly when you need them the most. Studies have shown that without regular maintenance, an HVAC system loses about 5 percent of it’s original efficiency. We are all trying to save money on our energy bills and if our HVAC system is not functioning efficiently we could just be flushing our money down the drain. Avoid a costly and unpleasant breakdown of your HVAC system and have peace of mind that you are protecting your home and your investment.

Do you own a home? Are you looking to own a home? If so, you may want to consider purchasing a home warranty protection plan. Home warranty plans cover the normal wear and tear of appliances and systems that are properly maintained. If one of your home appliances or systems breaks down, your warranty should cover the repair or replacement cost of the appliance or system. So, what are some things you should look for when you are shopping for home warranty coverage?

One thing to look for when shopping for a home warranty is the appliances and systems that are covered. There are probably certain appliances and systems you want covered under your home warranty protection plan. Speak to representatives of different home warranty companies. Tell them which appliances and systems you want covered and ask them for a plan that will best fit your needs. Some appliances and systems that are typically covered are water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators, plumbing systems, heating systems, air conditioning systems, electrical systems, and even your doorbell.

Another thing to look for when shopping for a home warranty is the cost of the warranty. What are the premiums? Do you pay them monthly or yearly? Will the price rise after the first year? If an appliance or systems breaks down and needs to be repaired or replaced, will you be responsible for any of the cost? If so, how much will you pay? These are all questions that are good to ask when trying to figure out the cost of a home warranty protection plan. Some home warranty companies will give you a quote on-line. Or you can call a representative of the company and he or she can answer your questions. Get multiple quotes from different companies. This will help you better determine which company and plan will best fit into your financial plan.

When shopping for a home warranty plan, make sure that you ask about the terms and conditions of the plans you are looking at. You will want to know what is covered (or not covered), how far the coverage extends, what fees you will need to pay, and the cost to renew. Read everything carefully before you accept the plan. You want to make sure you know what you are paying for in your home warranty protection plan.

Last of all, when shopping for a home warranty, make sure that you know how your plan works. You want to make sure that the process is simple and uncomplicated. For example, it may look something like this: When an appliance or system breaks down, you call the home warranty company. They call a service provider. The service provided then calls you to set up an appointment. The service provider will come and fix your appliance or system. If the appliance or system is irreparable, the service provider will inform the home warranty company. You may pay a fee for the repair or replacement, which is determined by the terms of your home warranty protection plan.
Shopping for a home warranty does not have to be difficult. By following the tips outlined above, you can have the assurance that you will be able to choose the home warranty plan that best meets your needs.

If you are looking to buy a home or already own a home, you may want to consider purchasing a home warranty plan. These plans are designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing the many systems and appliances that make up your home. In the event that one of your appliances breaks or one of your home systems shuts down, having a home warranty will ensure that you do not have to pay the full cost of repair or replacement.

There are many appliances and systems that a home warranty plan covers and it varies from plan to plan. Some common appliances that a home warranty covers are refrigerators, washers and dryers, and ovens. Some common systems that are covered by a home warranty are the plumbing, electrical, and central air conditioning systems. The plan you choose can be customized to fit your needs. In order to choose the plan that will best protect you, you should be aware of which appliances and systems have the highest rates of breaking down or needing to be replaced. The top five home warranty claims are furnaces, air conditioning systems, heating systems, dishwashers, and refrigerators. You will want to make sure that the home warranty plan you choose covers these five appliances and systems.

The heating and cooling systems of your home are vital to your comfort. A heating system warms your home during the winter months. There are many different kinds of heating systems, including a furnace. If your heating system stops working in the middle of the winter, you will need to get it fixed or replaced quickly, especially if you live in an area with harsh winter weather. It can be miserable to be without heat on a cold winter night. Your air conditioning system is also important. If you live in a place that gets unbearably hot at some point in the year, you want to make sure that your air conditioning is protected. Going without the cooling benefits of an air conditioning on a hot summer day will quickly remind you how important it is to have your air conditioning system in working order. Make certain that your heating and air conditioning systems, including your furnace, are covered in your home warranty plan.

Dishwashers and refrigerators are essential appliances in your home. Your dishwasher provides you the convenience of not having to wash your dishes by hand, freeing up time in your day for other things. Typically, dishwashers also use less water than if you washed your dishes by hand, and that saves you money on your water bill. It is also important that your refrigerator be in good working order. Your refrigerator stores your food and keeps it fresh. If it breaks down, you want to be sure that you have a plan to get it replaced or repaired quickly so that your food doesn’t go bad.

Having a home warranty plan may save you money in the long-run. Chances are that at some point your furnace, heating/cooling system, dishwasher or refrigerator will break down and need to be repaired or replaced entirely. This can quickly become a drain on your finances. Having a plan that covers at least these five systems and appliances can bring you peace of mind, knowing that you are covered in case of an emergency.

If you are a home owner or are thinking about buying a home, you might be considering purchasing a home warranty plan. When shopping around for home warranty coverage, you will probably have a lot of questions. Following are five questions that are commonly asked about coverage with home warranties.

What exactly is a home warranty plan? A home warranty is a plan that provides warranty coverage to many of your home appliances and systems. In the case that one of your appliances or home systems breaks down due to normal wear and tear, a home warranty plan will cover the repair or replacement of the appliance or system. Having a home warranty plan can ensure that you are not left with a huge repair or replacement bill.

What types of things does a home warranty plan cover? Home warranty coverage applies to many appliances and home systems. Some common appliances that are covered are refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers. Some common home systems that are covered are electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and water heaters. Home warranty companies have standard plans that you can purchase. If there is an appliance or system that you do not see on the plan that you would like to have covered, most companies will let you add the appliance or the system to a standard plan for an extra fee. Some companies will allow you to customize your plan to fit your particular needs.

How much does a home warranty plan cost? The cost of home warranty plans varies depending on the type of home warranty coverage you want. Many companies will give you on-line quotes. You can also call the company to inquire into the cost. Representatives of each company will be able to help you determine the plan that fits your needs and the cost of that plan.

What is the difference between homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty plan? Homeowner’s insurance covers the structures and furnishings of a home in the event that they are damaged due to a natural disaster. Home warranties will cover the cost of repairing or replacing a home appliance or system due to normal wear and tear.

Will it matter if my appliances and home systems are old? No. All that matters is that your appliances and systems are in good working order. For example, if you have an old furnace, it can be covered under your home warranty plan as long as it is working properly. After your home warranty coverage begins, home warranty companies require that you take care of and maintain any appliances and home systems that are protected by your plan in order to make sure the warranty is valid.

Shopping for a home warranty plan can seem overwhelming. If you are a first-time home buyer it can seem particularly daunting. But, with a little bit of research and some help from the representatives from home warranty companies, you will have all the information you need to purchase a plan that meets your needs. Now that you have the answers to the five common questions regarding home warranty coverage, you are well on your way to choosing the plan that is right for you.

Having a water heater that is in good working condition is an important part of any home. Even if you have a home owner warranty plan, you want to make sure that you take good care of your water heater. While your water heater is probably covered under your home warranty plan, most warranty plans only cover the normal wear and tear of appliances and systems in your home. That means that if you are not taking good care of your water heater, it may not be covered under your plan. Following are some tips for extending the life of your water heater so that if anything does go wrong, you know it will be covered under your home owner warranty.

The first tip is to complete your water heater’s regular maintenance. This is typically on a yearly basis and includes draining your water heater completely and flushing out any build-up. This build-up can lower the efficiency of your water heater, making it work harder to do its job. Your water heater will wear out faster if it has to compensate for build-up. You can drain and flush the water heater on your own or you can call a company that services water heaters to come out and do the yearly maintenance for you. The most important thing is that you get it done in order to make sure that your water heater’s life is extended and in the case the heater does break down, it will be covered under your warranty plan.

Another simple thing you can do to extend the life of your water heater and, thus have full coverage under your home owner warranty, is to check the pressure-relief valve each year and replace it if necessary. A pressure-relief valve that is broken can cause a lot of problems, and may even cause your water heater to explode. The pressure-relief valve is easy to check. It is located on the side or on the top of your water heater. To check it, merely open the valve. If water comes out, the valve is fine and it does not need to be replaced. (Make sure you have a bucket handy to catch any water that may be released.) If no water comes out of the valve, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced. You can replace it yourself or call a water heater service company to do the job.

One last tip to extend the life of your water heater is to replace your water heater’s anode rod at least every 4 years. When metal is exposed to water for a long period of time, rust inevitably forms. Since your water heater is metal and has water sitting in it and rushing through it all day, all year, it goes without saying that rust will form. This is where your water heater’s anode rod comes in. The anode rod attracts the rust that forms in your water heater, protecting the rest of the water heater from corrosion. Replacing this rod periodically will protect your water heater, extend its life, and ensure its coverage under your home owner warranty.

Doing regular maintenance, checking the pressure-relief valve, and replacing the anode rod every few years will do a lot to keep your water heater running in excellent condition. Then, in the case that your water heater does break down and needs to be repaired or replaced, you can be assured that your home owners warranty plan will cover the cost.