Now’s the time to add a few New Year’s home improvement resolutions to your already long list. Here are some worth considering that will keep your house in shape, help the environment, and save you money.
Stay Safe: The start of a New Year is the perfect time to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Also, check to be sure your fire extinguishers are in working order and easy to access. Another important fire prevention resolution is to have your chimney inspected and the flue cleaned if necessary.
Winterize Your Home: Now that cold weather has arrived, don’t put off winterizing your home by sealing up cracks and repairing the weather stripping around your windows and doors. Remember to cover outside faucets, bring in potted plants, and drip inside faucets when the temperatures drop below freezing. It’s also a good time to add additional insulation to your attic which can save big money on your heating and cooling bills.
Save Energy: Resolve to turn down your thermostat this winter when you’re at work or sleeping. Better yet, replace it with a programmable thermostat that will remember to do it for you. Installing energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs can help reduce your carbon footprint while saving money at the same time.
Go Green: Make the effort to start recycling and dispose properly of old electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, and cell phones. Take steps to save water by repairing dripping faucets and fixing running toilets. Other ways to save water include installing low-flow shower-heads, and replacing old water guzzling toilets with new water saving or dual-flush models. When buying new appliances or electronic equipment, be sure they carry the federal Energy Star seal for energy efficiency.
Home Maintenance: Making a resolution to change the air filter on your central system every month or two will save energy and allow your system to run more efficiently. Draining your hot water tank once a year removes any sediment buildup. This can make it last longer and work better. Clean your gutters regularly is another important home maintenance project that is easy to overlook. Neglected gutters can lead to the rotting of eave boards as well as damage to basements and foundations.
So what are your home improvement resolutions for the New Year?
Share the pet projects that you’ve been putting off by leaving a comment below.
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