10 Things Every Homeowner Should Be Able to Find
When something goes wrong, minutes matter. These are the things every homeowner should be able to put a hand on in the dark.
The essentials
The main water shutoff, the electrical panel and how it is labeled, the gas shutoff, and the furnace filter. Knowing these turns a crisis into a quick fix.
The safety layer
Your fire extinguisher, the nearest smoke and CO alarm, the sump pump, and your water heater. Check that alarms work and the extinguisher is charged while you are looking.
The paperwork
Your home documents and warranties, and the model and serial numbers of major appliances. Keep them somewhere you can reach from your phone.
Find and note these
- Main water shutoff
- Electrical panel
- Gas shutoff
- Furnace filter and its size
- Fire extinguisher
- Sump pump
- Water heater and its age
- Home and warranty documents
Be ready
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Common questions
Why label the electrical panel?
So you can cut power to the right circuit instantly instead of guessing during a problem.
Where should I keep home documents?
Digitally, so you can reach them from anywhere. HearthIQ keeps them with the rest of your home record.
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