The Economics of Preventative Home Upkeep
Building science data consistently demonstrates that proactive maintenance costs a fraction of emergency remediation:
- Gutters & Downspout Maintenance: $0 DIY effort prevents $5,000–$15,000 in foundation underpinning and basement waterproofing.
- Dryer Duct Cleaning: 45 minutes of cleaning eliminates the #1 cause of household appliance fires and saves 30% in dryer electric consumption.
- HVAC Filter Replacements: A fresh MERV 8–11 filter every 90 days prevents evaporator coil freeze-ups and compressor burnouts costing $2,000+.
