The holidays have come and gone, and we are already a week into January. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been thinking about how to better yourself in the New Year. Whether it’s a plan to lose weight, budget your money better or break a bad habit, New Year’s resolutions have likely at least crossed your mind.
While you’re thinking about ways to better yourself in 2015, don’t forget about taking care of your home. Here are the top New Year’s resolutions to set – and stick to! – for your home this year.
New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home
Make Safety A Priority
If you haven’t been paying much attention to safety in your home, don’t put it off any longer. Start by making sure all the smoke detectors in your home are functioning properly, and install additional units if you do not have enough. Don’t forget about carbon monoxide detectors; make sure you have one in every bedroom. This ensures that if your chimney or furnace vents become blocked, your family will not be exposed to dangerous carbon monoxide as it backs up in your home.
Install Proper Ventilation
Is your home one of the millions that don’t have proper ventilation in attics and bathrooms? Bathrooms and attics that do not vent to the outside are extremely vulnerable to mold, another problem that can wreak havoc on your family’s health. Without proper ventilation, moisture can also build up in wet areas like the bathroom and cause moisture damage to the walls and floors.
Reduce Your Bills
If saving money is one of your New Year’s resolutions, a great place to start is by reducing your bills. For starters, make sure your heating and air conditioning units have clean filters. Clogged filters reduce efficiency and can lead to higher bills. If you have an older furnace, air conditioner or water heater, consider upgrading to new energy-efficient models. Though these upgrades require a significant up-front investment, energy-saving appliances will save you a lot of money on your utility bills. In addition, there are several tax incentives that you may qualify for when upgrading from older heating and cooling systems to new energy-efficient models.
Be Proactive
How many times have you found yourself in a panic because of an unexpected problem at your home? Whether it’s an air conditioner blowing hot air on the hottest day of the year, a plumbing leak or a burst sewer line, many of these emergencies can be avoided with proper maintenance. Instead of waiting until the unthinkable happens, make 2015 the year that you start paying close attention to all your home’s systems and never ignoring warning signs. Something as simple as a slow shower drain could be indicative of a much larger problem just waiting to rear its ugly head when you least expect it – and at the worst possible time.
Whether you need help with routine maintenance, a professional inspection of your home’s systems or a major repair, at BHS, we can help. Our technicians are always available because we know that problems don’t always arise during “normal” business hours. When you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, resolve to make BHS the company you call anytime you are in need of help around the house. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (239) 291-0860 for service in or around Naples, Florida.
