As we welcome 2022, many of us are probably writing our promises and resolutions for the rest of the year. While we’re busy making lifestyle changes, it’s also important to consider how our home affects our life quality.
The home is where we spend most of our year, so it makes sense to invest in home maintenance, repairs, and renovations. Some homeowners even go to lengths by hiring a pipe fabrication service to improve the lifespan of their plumbing system all year round.
In this article, we’ll help you welcome the new year with a more organized, clean, and eco-friendly home. With that in mind, here are New Year’s resolutions you’ll want to keep for your home.
Cut down energy use
The new year isn’t only a perfect opportunity to get yourself together, but the things around you as well. We mean to help improve the planet, not just the way you live your life.
Going green is the best way to start a truly remarkable year. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t require you to buy a hybrid car or install solar panels to make a big difference. There are plenty of ways to try green living without spending excessively.
Learn how to recycle, turn off all electric appliances when not in use, and don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth. These practices help preserve the planet and cut down your monthly bills.
Whether you live in incredibly hot or cold climates, you can cut back energy use by insulating and sealing ductwork around your home. This enhances the energy efficiency of your home’s cooling and heating system by around 20%. These improvements won’t only make your home more comfortable but also extend the lifespan of your air conditioner, furnace, and heat pump.
Clear the clutter
One of the best and cheapest ways to improve your home for the new year is to clear all its clutter. The beginning of the year is usually about cleaning stuff: You have to clear the Christmas decors, collect all the wrapping paper, and clean the remains of the parties you had during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Since you have to do everything already, it’s easy to keep going by deep cleaning your home.
Start by tackling the room with the highest foot traffic. This also includes rooms that accumulated a mountain of stuff over the year. Vacuum, scrub and rinse until the room looks new again. Repeat the steps until you have gone over each room around the house.
You may also do some purging on drawers, cabinets, and closets that are jam-packed with random stuff. Look for items that affect the visual perception of your home, particularly old, broken items or anything that drains your energy. If you found items that you rarely use anymore, you may want to donate them to charity or sell them through a garage sale. Not only will you get rid of unwanted stuff, but you also earn money.
Once you get rid of the clutter, invest in items that will boost your energy level or anything you will use and enjoy the most. This will allow you to relax and breathe easier in your own home.
Improve the air quality
As the COVID-19 pandemic continuously cripples the world, we can’t stress enough the importance of having access to clean and fresh air, especially inside your home. Indoor air quality is an important indicator of the type of environment you’re living in.
Believe it or not, the air circulating our homes is more polluted than the air outside. Too much exposure to air pollutants can cause severe health complications like lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory disease.
Indoor air may contain various contaminants, such as spores, mold, pollen, dust, and other particles containing viruses. It can get even worse during winter if you keep your windows and doors closed all the time.
Protect your family from harmful irritants and deadly viruses, such as COVID-19, by maintaining the HVAC systems regularly and replacing the furnace filters. During home renovations, make sure to use wall paint with low VOC (volatile organic compound) levels and install localized ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom to eliminate smoke, surplus humidity, and cooking fumes.
We hope the tips above inspired you to make your home a more clean, green, and efficient place to live all year round in the spirit of new beginnings. Getting your home in shape doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming for renovations. All it takes is a little creativity to transform your living space into a safe and sound environment.
