Many of us have resolutions for the new year. If you’re like me, hopefully this will be the year you finally get in shape and lose that 20 lbs! But don’t limit yourself to personal goals. Your house may be need some too. With that in mind, here are 3 resolutions for your home in the new year.
First, make your home more energy efficient. Turning down your thermostat a few degrees will cut down on energy use and has the added benefit of saving you money on your power bill. Turning your water heater down to 120 degrees will help too. And, get your teenager to take a shorter shower. That resolution might be doomed for failure by February – but is worth a shot!
Consider upgrading your appliances or windows to more energy efficient products. Be sure to look for the Energy Star label and ask about any incentives that might be available through the Oregon Energy Trust.
Second, making your home safer for the new year should be a priority. Check your smoke detectors and make sure they are up to date and have fresh batteries. It’s also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. They don’t make the greatest decorations but you’ll be glad it’s there if you need it. Also, consider upgrading your carbon monoxide detector, especially if you can’t remember when you bought the last one. This is an area where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Lastly, resolving to update the curb appeal of your home can pay dividends down the road, especially if you are planning to sell your home in the near future. Check with your realtor for improvements that give you the most bang for the buck but new windows, new paint, updating or replacing your front door, and fresh landscaping are great places to start. In some cases, you can do this work yourself save a bundle.