• Change your furnace filters monthly. "It's so easy to do but so critical," says Lesh. Clogged filters decrease furnace efficiency and can cause breakdowns.

• Drain your water heater at least once a year. Sediment will drain out along with the water from the water tank. Removing sediment can prolong the heater's useful life.

• Clean the coils. If you have baseboard heating units that use hot water, clear dust from the coils inside the units to maximize heating efficiency. Clean dust whenever you see it accumulating. If you have a hot water boiler/furnace, you should also oil the pump inside the furnace twice a year, says Lesh. Look for the three spots on the pump designated for oiling.

• Check your circuits. Test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box twice a year by flipping them off and back on. If you have a circuit that keeps shutting off with normal daily electrical use, call an electrician. A faulty circuit breaker could indicate a short in the wiring inside your walls.

• Watch out for drips. Check under sinks periodically to look for leaks or water stains that might indicate leaks. Catching a small problem early can prevent water damage. Use a plunger to clean out sinks and tubs whenever water doesn't drain normally.

• Replace regularly. Water heaters, furnaces, roofs, and other key components of your home should be replaced before they fail, based on their average useful lives.

The full article can be found at http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.nsf/pages/feature6feb08?OpenDocument