With proper care and maintenance, many of the items we have in our homes will last for many years. But just because some things last, not everything is designed or even meant to be.
As a result, we’ve put together this guide to how often you should replace different items in your home, addressing those that can directly affect your safety, comfort, or health. . While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it is a good place to start.
Air conditioning and heaters
If you clean and maintain them properly, A/C devices will have a lifespan of 15-20 years. This means annual checks to make sure refrigerant levels are good, condensers, motors and compressors are working properly, and cleaning coils of dirt and debris. Don’t forget to change the filters in your home, to help air circulate and reduce strain on the fan motor in your home.
Here are some signs you should look for to replace your A/C unit:
- It no longer blows cool air or the airflow seems restricted – the first is obvious, the second can be a bit harder to detect, especially if the restriction doesn’t happen suddenly.
- Moisture build-up – moisture is normal, but if it’s leaking or similar, it needs to be fixed. In addition to possible damage, it can breed mold.
- Unusual noises – is your air conditioner louder than before? Are there any unusual noises, such as teeth grinding, hissing or chattering? Those are not normal and should be checked.
- It Smells – If your air conditioner is blowing smelly air, especially if there is a smoke or burning smell, your system needs to be reviewed.
- High energy bills – if your A/C costs skyrocket and it doesn’t correlate with increased utility rates, then consider your A/C.
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
You should replace your smoke detector batteries every six months (unless your device comes with a 10-year battery), you should replace your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every 10 years. If you’ve been in your home for over a decade and haven’t changed detectors, now is the time to get it done. Getting new models with extended batteries will save you from having to change batteries, although you should still check the detector monthly.
Fire extinguishers follow a similar schedule. While they don’t have a true expiration date, you can usually expect them to last for 10-12 years or until you use them. Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years, unless you have used it or they show signs of any of the following:
- Faucet or faucet is cracked, torn or clogged
- Missing safety seal or “lock pin” in the handle
- Handle is broken or loose
- Missing test labels or hang tags showing inspection and maintenance records (for commercial use extinguishers)
sponge
Unless you’re specifically trying to grow bacteria in the lab, you should replace your dish sponge every few weeks. You might want to try cleaning and sanitizing them, but that doesn’t really work because the bad bacteria just recombine the sponge in greater numbers than before.
Water filters
Your drinking water may taste fresh, but contaminants may be odorless and tasteless. While it’s best to follow the filter manufacturer’s instructions, a good rule of thumb is to change the filter on the following schedule:
If you use a filter for drinking water, you should replace it every 2-6 months, depending on the type. For pitcher-style filters, you should replace them every two months, while you should replace the refrigerator filter every six months, based on usage. A one-person home probably won’t need to change the filter as often, while a family of six may need to change the filter more often.
Mattresses and Pillows
No matter how much time we spend trying to get a good night’s sleep, we try to extend our mattress and pillow changes longer than we can.
Although mattresses and pillows do not have an expiration date, they will wear out. In addition, they can absorb sweat, allergens, and dust mites.
A good rule of thumb is to buy a new mattress every 6-8 years and a new pillow every 2 years.
Signs you need a new mattress:
- It is 6-8 years old and above
- It negatively affects your sleep
- It sags or is damaged
- Do you often wake up with muscle or joint stiffness?
Signs you may need a new pillow:
- It has lost its shape
- You wake up with more congestion or allergies than you did when you went to bed (could also be a mattress problem)
- It smells or is stained
- It’s not comfortable anymore
Remember that about 25%-30% of our lives are spent sleeping. Make sure it’s quality sleep.
