A new year is here, which means it's time to make some new resolutions. While diets and exercises are always popular choices, don't forget about the fitness of an asset almost as valuable as your health: your house. By committing to these five easy-to-follow home resolutions, you can potentially lower your monthly bills, maintain (or increase) your property value, and fall back in love with your living space.
1. Get the LED in
Energy-efficient lightbulbs have come a long way since those ice-cream-cone-shaped compact fluorescents. Now, thanks to light-emitting diode bulbs (better known as LEDs), you can double the luminescent lifespan of everything from the lamp on your nightstand to the bulbs in your ceiling fan. Some brands even have built-in smart technology that allows you to change the brightness and hue or schedule timers directly from your phone or smart speaker. While it's true LED bulbs are more expensive upfront, many satisfied customers believe they are worth it in the long run.
2. Boost you home's IQ
Smart LED lightbulbs aren't the only electronics that can lower your bills and increase your property value. Appliances like smart thermostats, smart electrical outlets and even smart smoke detectors can make your home safer, more efficient, and more appealing to potential buyers if you're planning on selling it. And because the companies that manufacture them are so smart, all you typically need to get started is a Wi-Fi connection and some kind of computer or mobile device to control it. Even if your home was built before the internet, you can modernize it with a few appliances.
3. Remember your filters
Pop Quiz: How often should you change the air filters in your house? If you don't know, you're not alone. Many people either change their filters on a whim or forget about it all together, but that could be costly for your energy bill and your health. As a rule of thumb, homeowners should change their filter every 90 days if they have no pets, every 60 days if they have one pet, or every 20 to 45 days if they have multiple pets or severe allergies. While these timelines are a handy guide, it's important to visually check your filter from time to time. If a filter is totally filled with dust and loose hair, it's time to replace it.
4. Seal your sanctuary
You may not realize it, but there are a lot of places in your living space where air can leak out and creatures can creep in. Protect your house from unwanted bill increases or insects by weather-stripping or caulking the gaps around windows and vents, adding door sweeps to all of your exterior doors, and installing foam gaskets to your electrical outlets and light switches. Some of these measures may sound tedious, but they are guaranteed to increase your comfort in the long run. And, if you're more worried about the time investment than the financial investment, you can always hire a specialist.
5. Stop flushing money down the drain
Has your water bill ever rocked your world? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. Unless you're a certified plumber, you probably don't realize how much the length of your shower, the watering of your lawn, or the power and amount of toilet flushes add up. That's why it may be a good idea to ask a professional for a plumbing consultation. There are even some plumbers who are willing to assess your drainage system for free! And even if they charge a fee, the savings it could mean for your monthly expenses could be very worth it in the end.
If you need a referral for a handyman or plumber, please contact us! We know the best in the business and are always happy to help!
