Home maintenance often feels expensive, but neglecting it is even costlier. Preventive care now can save thousands of dollars in emergency repairs later. The key is to focus on simple, affordable tasks that extend the life of your home and systems.

Start with your furnace. Replacing filters regularly—about every 1–3 months—costs only a few dollars but improves efficiency and reduces wear. A clogged filter can strain the system, leading to expensive breakdowns in the middle of winter. Scheduling a fall tune-up with a technician is an investment that can extend the life of your furnace and lower heating bills.

Next, clean your gutters. Leaves and debris block water flow, leading to ice dams or water damage inside walls. With just a ladder and a few hours, you can prevent thousands in repairs. If climbing isn’t an option, hiring a local service is far cheaper than fixing waterlogged drywall.

Don’t forget about your roof and windows. Walk around your home and look for missing shingles, cracked caulk, or drafty spots. A $5 tube of caulk or $20 worth of weatherstripping can save hundreds in heating costs.

Think of maintenance as protecting your investment. For example, spending $100 on preventive care now might save $1,000 in repairs later. By planning small seasonal tasks and spreading costs across the year, you’ll avoid big, unexpected bills and keep your home in top shape.