*Adjust registers and confirm that cold air returns are clear of furniture or draperies.

*Check garage overhead door, tighten bolts as needed, and lubricate springs with motor oil. Have other repairs done by professionals.

* Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges. 

* Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.

*Check the fit of exterior doors; thresholds are adjustable - use a quarter to turn the screws.

* Evaporative air conditioner: Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.

* Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor.

*Clean and test smoke alarms.

* Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. 

* Decks and porches: Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every four to six years, even every year for the first two or three years to maximize its life, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. 

* Landscape: Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes that are touching structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home's paint, requiring that side of the house to be repainted. A little trimming can save a lot of money and time.

* Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn't get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it's not something you can fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.