Whether you’re sitting on your deck enjoying a refreshing beverage, rocking out to John Mellancamp’s Check it Out, or relaxing at the beach with your family, summer means different things to everyone. The one thing that does ring true for many is if you are planning to build or renovate, the glory days of summer are some of the best times to get things started — or at least get your plans in place.

In saying this however, as a homeowner, you need to remember that with every season comes the need to do some minor maintenance work on your home to keep it running efficiently which will save you time and money in the long run.

In particular, you do not want to neglect the filters in your heat pump or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) / air exchanger. You want to make sure you change / clean these at least a couple of times a year so they do not clog with dust and debris. You want to keep your equipment working at an optimum level.

It is also a good idea to have the shingles on your roof checked for any that are missing or cracked. It is much easier to make these minor repairs in nicer weather rather than waiting until the weather turns cold and you are asking yourself why you didn’t check sooner.

“All of these little things add up quickly if they are not looked after right away,” says Paul Pettipas, chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Home Builders’ Association. “Taking the time to do minor repairs can help you avoid higher repair costs if you neglect your home and then have to have undertake a major renovation.”

There are many ongoing tweaks that your home needs and by doing them on a regular basis it can leave more money in your pocket to enjoy your summer your way.

For more information on building or renovating visit www.nshomebuilders.ca.