It’s that time of year again—with the beginning of a new year usually comes a list of New Year’s resolutions. While most of us stick to the same old resolutions like “get into shape” or “stop eating cookies for dinner” that we promptly forget about as soon as February comes around, we at Vision Homes would like to suggest a few New Years resolutions that can make a lasting difference in your home.
With this in mind, here are 6 New Year’s resolutions for homeowners:
1. Reduce energy use.
By cutting down on your energy use, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on your monthly utility bills! The easiest way to conserve energy is to simply not waste it. That means turning off lights when you don’t need them, sealing and insulating your ducts to make your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently, and recycling and reusing the things you use every day. It’s amazing the amount of energy that an average home wastes from day to day, so a little mindfulness can go a long way to lowering your energy bills.
2. Get rid of stuff you don’t need.
Whether you have a garage sale, sell online, or donate the things in your home that you don’t have a use for anymore, getting rid of items that you haven’t used in 2 years or longer is a great way to free up space in your closets, cupboards, and shelves. We recommend having a designated box for things you’d like to donate or sell so that whenever you come across them you can put them away to sort them later. Once the box is full, it’s time to get it out of the house!
3. Improve indoor air quality.
There’s a saying in the HVAC industry: “If you don’t have a good air filter in your home, you ARE the air filter in your home.” Make sure your home’s air quality is as good as it can be. Replace your furnace filter, clean your vents, and get rid of dust so it doesn’t circulate throughout your home. You may find that your overall health will improve, and and symptoms of asthma and allergies may decrease.
4. Prepare for emergencies.
Apart from checking and replacing batteries in your fire alarms, it’s a good idea to check your fire extinguishers and make an emergency action plan for you and your family. Pack an “emergency bag” or backpack with a change of clothes, copies of ID cards, some cash, non-perishable snacks, a flashlight with fresh batteries, and a first aid kit. Keep your emergency bag in a place where you can easily get to it, so that you can grab it and run should there be a need.
5. Create a home cleaning routine.
Devise daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance routines that cover your house from top to bottom. Break up the work into smaller tasks–by doing a little bit at a time rather than cleaning your whole house at once, your house will stay cleaner and it won’t be such a chore. Make sure you have all the cleaning supplies that you need at hand so it’s easy to get the job done.
6. Get your home “Guest-Ready.”
If you like to entertain, make your home inviting by giving it an update. Create a warm atmosphere in the living room by placing plants on your tables and shelves. Rearrange your furniture to promote conversation and interaction. Keep your hallways clean and clear of clutter. Freshen up the guest bedrooms, and clean up and de-clutter the areas where guests will spend time.
By making (and sticking to!) these 6 resolutions, your home will be a safer, cleaner, and more comfortable place to live in the coming year.
If building or buying a new home is on your list of resolutions for the new year, contact our team at Vision Homes today to talk about what your perfect home looks like! We can discuss your needs, wants, style and budget, and help you design and build a house that you’re proud to call home. We look forward to speaking with you!