NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Here's the essential homeowners' check list of what you need to do -- and when -- to care for your home.

• Clean or change air filters for heating and cooling systems. Clogged filters make your heating and cooling system less efficient, driving up electricity bills.

• Check doors, windows and trim. Replace broken glass or damaged screens. Check glazed openings for loose putty and caulking at doors and windows and weather stripping for fit and damage.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent water from backing up and damaging your house.
• Inspect exterior walls, looking for cracks or loose joints in masonry, paint failure and damage or decay to siding and trim.
• Check roof for damaged or loose shingles. Repair damage to metal flashing, gutters and downspouts that can cause leaks in the roof.
• Check underside of roof for water stains or dampness.
• If you have (and use) a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned once a year (more often if you have nightly fires or burn a lot of softwood). A fire burns more efficiently and gives off more heat when the chimney is clean. But more important, burning wood creates a flammable residue called creosote that can cause a devastating blaze if too much builds up inside the chimney.
• Test ground-fault circuit breakers, required for any area where there is water, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• Vacuum air ducts to prevent dirt and mold buildup, which can trigger allergies.
• Check condition of lamp cords, extension cords and plugs; replace at first sign of wear or damage.
• Clean dirt and dust from around furnace.
• Check driveways and sidewalks for cracks and yard for settlement and soil erosion. Fill in any low spots near the foundation with soil to prevent basement leaks and flooding.
• Examine your trees and shrubs, and prune back those that are too close to the house or overhanging the roof to prevent damage to roof and siding. Remove any dead trees and broken limbs.
• Check basement or crawl space for dampness and/or leakage following storms or heavy rains.
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Check weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Remove window air conditioners.
• Drain outside water lines and hoses so water doesn't freeze.

• Inspect foundation and basement for signs of termite infestation. Termites are attracted to moist or decayed wood. Look for termite tubes and mud tunnels. Remove dense vegetation growing close to the foundation or siding. Vegetation traps moisture, which creates a better habitat for termites.
• Check grading of yard to make sure water will drain away from foundation.
• Lubricate window hardware.
• Inspect tile in bathrooms and kitchens. Loose tiles and grout need to be re-cemented and resealed to prevent water from seeping into the walls.
• Evaluate your roof for signs of wear. Sweep debris off flat and low-slope roofs.
• Check antenna guy wires and supports on roof.
• Check floors for wear and damage, particularly where one material meets another. Determine whether flooring should be replaced or refinished.
• Check electrical cords and overhead wiring for damage and missing insulation--replace and repair as needed. Flickering lights and humming noises indicate problems.
• Clean humidifiers and dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth.
• Check water heater for signs of leaks or rust. Hot-water tanks should be replaced every 10 years. Drain tank to prevent sediment from building up.
• Check safety and reversing mechanism on electric garage-door openers; adjust if needed.
• Change batteries in smoke detector. Set up a regular date to do this, such as the first day of spring. Also check fire extinguishers to ensure they're still fully charged.

• Have your home inspected by a professional inspector.