Take Inventory

Anyone who’s ever worked in retail knows how mind-numbing it is to take inventory. But in this context, taking inventory isn’t just busy work — it can make getting a justified insurance payout much easier. To prepare for a potential disaster, you should make a written record and take photos or videos of all your valuables. That way, you’ll be prepared when the insurance company asks for proof of loss before compensating you.

For this task, all you’ll need is a pad of paper and your cellphone. Go from room to room and write down any valuable objects you own, taking photos of them along the way. When listing big-ticket items such as electronics and appliances, it’s a good idea to record the brand name, model, and serial number. You might also want to note the item’s location, quantity, purchase date, and purchase price, if that information is available to you.

If you’re facing a potential evacuation and are short on time, conduct a video walkthrough of your entire house instead. Be sure to open up drawers, closets, safes, and anywhere else precious items might be stored.

When you’re done, it’s a good idea to put the list into a spreadsheet and upload it to the cloud so you have a backup in case the physical list goes missing. The visual documentation is a bonus since it can provide indisputable evidence of objects that have been destroyed or disappeared. Be sure to upload these photos and videos to the cloud as well.

Don’t stress yourself out trying to list every last object, especially if your time is limited. Stick to listing items that are truly valuable or irreplaceable. (Here’s a sample home inventory spreadsheet that you can reference if you’re not sure where to begin.)

Why It’s Worth It

While this might seem like a labor-intensive process, it becomes easier if you make it an annual routine. Some government agencies even recommend reviewing and updating your home inventory on a quarterly basis. By doing this, you won’t have to start from scratch when you update the list next year or next season. Simply add any new valuables and remove those you no longer own — a task that should only take a few minutes. Hopefully, you’ll never have to refer to this list, but having it handy will lessen the burden in a worst-case scenario.

Locate the Furnace Filter

When was the last time you changed your furnace’s air filter? And furthermore, did you even know that it had an air filter? In any case, it’s worth swapping it out every three months. A new filter can improve your air quality, boost heating efficiency, and extend the life of the unit in a major way.

The very first step is to turn off the heating system — otherwise you risk potential injury or damage to the furnace. Next, locate the unit’s air filter, which may be in a variety of places, depending on the model.

The two most common locations are inside the furnace itself or within a return air vent. A furnace filter is typically located in the blower compartment, often behind a removable door or panel. Alternatively, your filter may be in a large return air vent, behind the grille where air is drawn into your HVAC system. These vents are most often found on a wall, ceiling, or floor.

Consult your unit’s manual if you’re not sure where the filter is. Once you’ve found it, remove the old filter, use a shop vac to suck up any dust or debris from the filter slot, then slide the new filter into place. Finally, turn your heating system back on.

How To Choose the Right Filter

When shopping for a furnace air filter, consider whether you value energy efficiency, improved air quality, or a balance of both. Most products sold today are labeled with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, an industry standard that measures how well a filter captures different-sized airborne particles on a scale of 1 to 20.

Thirteen and above is deemed a high rating; these filters are capable of trapping tiny particles including bacteria, smoke, smog, and allergens. However, the dense material restricts airflow, potentially overworking older or less powerful HVAC systems. This is why many people opt for something in the middle with a MERV rating between 8 and 11, which provides clean air without damaging the system.

Remember to buy the correct size filter, as needs vary by unit. It’s also important to install it the right direction; the arrows on the packaging should always point in the direction of the unit’s airflow. (If you’re still unsure, check out this helpful video from an Ace Hardware expert.)

Safety Tip

Before you fire up the furnace, it’s imperative to install working carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your house. This colorless, odorless, and potentially fatal gas may leak from a faulty furnace and is impossible for humans to detect on their own. Check your existing detectors to make sure they’re working properly, install new ones in recommended locations, and/or replace any that are old or broken.