New Year's Resolution: Your Home

With the holidays behind us, many are setting up their resolutions, writing their goals, and preparing to kick in the new year. As you’re looking at different facets of your life, don’t forget your home! It is both your sanctuary and your biggest investment. Here are some ideas to add to your list of resolutions for next year!

De-clutter and Clean

Living in a clean, organized environment promotes positive change. If you haven’t recently, having your house professionally cleaned and organized can be a breath of fresh air for your home. Additionally, it allows you to see more clearly areas of your home you’ll want to update in the future. How worn is your carpet? Do the walls need to be repainted? A clean home will allow you to more effectively set home improvement goals for the year.

Evaluate and Improve Your Home’s Efficiency

Cutting down on energy costs is a great way to not only make your home more efficient, but can also help the environment. Here are some ideas! The first is to add ceiling fans, which can help circulate both hot and cold air. Update appliances to Energy Star rated appliances. Even though it costs money to purchase up front, making the switch will save an average of 30% on energy costs, which can equate to hundreds of dollars a year. To go a step further, consider consulting an electrician to have your wiring checked.

Safety and Protection

Updating your home’s safety is more than just protecting against intruders. While it’s good to check your home alarm system, or consider having one installed if you haven’t yet, there are safety elements inside the home you should be checking as well. One key element of home safety is airflow. It is surprisingly common for people’s bathrooms and attics to lack the necessary ventilation. Whether the vents have been clogged, covered, or just not installed where they’re needed, a lack of proper ventilation can lead to the growth of mold. When dealing with airflow, also check your radon levels. Radon is a commonly forgotten, odorless gas that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is responsible for around 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. You can purchase a test kit at your local hardware store for under $30.

With your home updated, decluttered, safe, clean, and efficient, you’ll be able to set goals for major improvements. From flooring to roofing and everything in between, updating your home is an investment worth making for a new year. You can increase your quality of living while adding value to your home! To see a list of contractors we trust to get the job done and take care of your home, visit us at responsiblecontractors.com. And Happy New Year!