It’s the time of year when we’re inundated with articles on how to be healthy, start good-for-you habits and dump the bad ones. But what about giving some attention to another major investment in your life — your home?

1. Create a maintenance and repair budget

Don’t break the bank when your washing machine stops or the hot water heater leaks. Create a budget now for expected maintenance projects, and set aside extra funds for those unexpected, emergency repairs that always seem to occur at the most inopportune time.

2. Clean refrigerator condenser coils

Help your refrigerator live longer and stay cool by cleaning the condenser coils.

3. Service your garage door

Regular garage door maintenance ensures safety and helps prevent costly repairs. In many houses, the garage door is the most used door — and it’s a big, heavy one.

4. Hire a chimney sweep

Regardless of whether you use a wood-burning fireplace or a gas log fireplace. A gas fireplace burns clean, meaning there’s no creosote or soot, but you want to be sure the ceramic logs, valves and connections work properly.

5. Schedule a furnace tune-up

Annual furnace inspections and cleanings can potentially save you hundreds of dollars in repairs by keeping your HVAC system in optimal condition.

— Oseye Boyd is a reporter at Angie’s List.