The new year is a great way to start fresh. And boy, do we need it this year. Self improvement is a common new year resolution: lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more. Don’t leave your home out of the fun! Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been spending much more time in our homes. Make 2022 the year to invest in your home and take it to the next level! We have five simple ideas for home improvement new year resolutions.
1) Resolve to Breathe Better
Since we are spending more time indoors than ever, indoor air quality or IAQ has a renewed importance. Viruses, pollen, pet dander, and dust are all floating around in your air, hidden in plain sight. Humidity levels also play into the quality of your air. And in the Georgetown, TX area, it seems like allergies are a year-round ailment. The quality of the air in your home can have a significant impact on your family’s health and well-being.
DTC provides a variety of services to help improve your indoor air quality. We can recommend a variety of IAQ products to improve your home comfort beyond the temperature. Our local technicians can visit your home to diagnose your problems and recommend a solution. We offer solutions like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and duct cleaning services. With our help, your family will breathe easy all year long.
2) Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
It may not surprise Georgetown, TX residents that our area has a reputation for thinking green. More people than ever are considering their impact on the environment. There are many ways you can do your part right at home. Not to mention that most of the ways you can reduce your impact will also reduce your energy bills. This year, consider resolving to:
- Look for the Energy Star label–if you’re buying any new appliance in 2022, put efficiency first. Replace your washer, dryer, furnace, or refrigerator with an Energy Star model. The Energy Star label is a simple way to identify energy-efficient equipment.
- Eliminate vampire energy use–Have you heard of vampire draw? It’s the electricity your devices use when plugged in, but not being used. Make it a habit to unplug appliances if you’re not using them–from the coffeemaker to televisions in guest rooms. This small step can make a big impact!
- Weatherize your home–Your heater and air conditioner work hard to keep your home comfortable. Your HVAC must work harder to compensate for any leaks in your windows or doors. This year, resolve to seal any openings in your home. This is a simple DIY weekend project that makes a tremendous difference.
3) Stroll the Perimeter of Your Home
This is a resolution every homeowner should have. You can tackle it with a ten-minute investment on January 1! It’s a simple walk outside of your home. With a visual check on your home’s exterior, you may spot a few items that need attention. Better to catch it now, before they become a bigger problem. Here’s a quick checklist of what to look for:
- Exterior walls–peeling paint that may need retouching, or a crack in the brick may indicate foundation problems.
- Windows–inspect your windows for any cracks in the panes.
- Gutters–Check your gutters for any hail damage, which can make them less effective at draining rainwater. Check that there aren’t any hangers missing or disconnected gutters.
- Roof–A quick visual check of your roof for any missing shingles.
- Air conditioner–make sure it has 2-3 feet on all sides for proper airflow. Trim back any plants and move any items that may have piled up too close.
- Plant life–is your landscaping trimmed and in good condition? Is there any ivy taking over walls or corners?
4) Prioritize Safety
Safety should be top of mind for all homeowners. In fact, a home welfare checkup is something all homeowners should do at least annually. So if you haven’t thought about your home’s safety recently, consider resolving to fix that this year.
- Replace batteries in your smoke alarms–Smoke alarms in most homes are wired electrically, but that can’t be counted on in the case of a fire. That’s why smoke alarms have batteries as a backup plan. The new year is the perfect time to replace the batteries in all your alarms. Bonus–no waking up at 3am to those “low battery” chirping sounds.
- CO Monitor–Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor? If not, you need to get one ASAP! Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, and highly toxic gas. Having a monitor in your home could save a life. Call DTC today and we’ll set you up with a carbon monoxide alarm for your home.
- Emergency kit–If the recent tornadoes in our area have taught us anything, it is to be prepared. This year, resolve to create an emergency kit that always stays in your homes’ shelter spot. Your kit should have food, water, and supplies to last all your family members 72 hours. And don’t forget about your pets! You can find a full list of what to include in your emergency kit at Ready.gov.
Have a plan–Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of an emergency. It is well worth your while to complete a drill. Make sure you cover off different scenarios, like those that would require escaping to the outside from various rooms in the home. Doing so may reveal critical information or help brainstorm contingency plans. And make sure you have a designated meet-up spot in case the family cannot exit together.
5) Commit to Maintenance
Maintenance. It gets pushed off again and again, year after year. You know you should do it, but you never get around to it. Just like delaying a trip to the dentist, putting it off makes things much worse. Particularly for your air conditioner and heater, annual HVAC maintenance is a minimum requirement to ensure performance, reliability, and longevity.
We know that maintenance isn’t everyone’s top priority. That’s why we offer a simple, hands-off approach. Our Priority Service Club is a one-and-done approach. Pay a onetime membership fee, and we’ll take care of both your fall and spring performance inspections. When it’s time for service, we call you–no need to remember to call us. Plus, you get multiple other benefits like priority service, 10% off any required repair services, and one-year parts warranty on repairs.
Make 2022 the year you prioritize consistent comfort in your home by investing in ongoing heating and cooling maintenance.
Resolve to Live Healthy & Happy in 2022
Will this be the year you keep those resolutions? We believe in you! At DTC we believe there is nothing more important than feeling safe and comfortable in your home. If you want to give your home some attention in 2022, we are here to help you! Call us for any of your home comfort needs at 512-887-5091.