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Each year, we strive to better ourselves by making and keeping a new set of resolutions. If you already know your New Year’s Resolutions, have you added some home maintenance projects to the list? Considering that we spend about 90% of our time in our homes (or even more over the last couple of years!), it’s a great idea to invest some energy into improving them. Here are a few ways to make your home safer and more comfortable in the upcoming year:
Reduce energy use by sealing and insulating the ducts from your heating and cooling system.
Ductwork can be found in hard-to-reach places, such as crawl spaces, attics and inside walls, so try to focus on those that are the most accessible first. Use duct sealants and fiberglass insulation – found at most hardware stores. This article provides more tips for cutting energy costs.
Improve indoor air quality by maintaining your HVAC system and changing furnace filters regularly. | Home Maintenance Project
Ventilate your kitchen and bathroom to reduce humidity and airborne pollutants. Use low-VOC paints on walls for a fresher home. If you have a fireplace, use real firewood instead of pressed wood which usually contains formaldehyde. More tips on how to keep indoor air fresh here.
Unclutter your home room by room | Home Maintenance Project
Start with one area (such as the basement) and use boxes to organize your items by category. If you need extra storage space, use the spaces between wall studs or under the stairs. Consider investing in extra cabinets or even shoe organizers to store household items.
Reduce water use in the home by installing EPA-certified WaterSense products.
Another water-saving product worth mentioning is the low-flow showerhead, which reduces water flow while keeping the pressure high. If you have a pre-1994 toilet, consider replacing it with a low-flow toilet that requires just one gallon of water when flushed.
Drain a quart of water from your water heater every 3 months or so | Home Maintenance Project
Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater and drain the water into a bucket or other recipient. This task will reduce the amount of sediment that built up in the water tank, prolonging the life of the heater.
Of course, you can always add other home maintenance project tasks to the resolutions list. Walk around the house and inspect every structural or mechanical aspect until you find something that could use some improvement. For professional fire, water, and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.
Kitchen Remodel | Home Maintenance Project
If you’re looking to give the heart of your home a revamp in 2024, you’re not alone. Roughly 19% of homeowners plan to take on a kitchen remodel project next year. This renovation project is one of the pricier ones on the list, with the typical cost for a kitchen remodel running between $14,620 and $41,400.
Some small-scale kitchen remodel ideas include refinishing cabinets, updating an appliance or two, or installing new flooring or countertops. Another popular kitchen upgrade is to install a new kitchen sink and faucet. A larger-scale kitchen remodel typically includes a complete overhaul of the kitchen’s design, adding or moving plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, adding high-end smart appliances, and installing a new island or countertops.
Since a kitchen remodel has such a broad scope, you should call a nearby kitchen remodeling company to help plan and execute your vision.
Smart Home Devices | Home Maintenance Project
As smart technology evolves to help your household run smoothly with the touch of a button—or a simple voice command—it’s no wonder that almost 19% of homeowners plan to install new smart devices in 2024.
From robot vacuum cleaners to smartphone-controlled lights and appliances, the odds are there’s a clever gadget for any household need. And there are ways to blend smart home technology into decor for a chic and subtle look. For instance, you can tuck away your tech in decorative boxes or bookcases or set up a sleek charging station in your most-used rooms.
Installing a home automation system costs between $185 and $1,665 on average, with most projects running around $920. Many devices are simple to set up on your own, but for more complex device installations, you can hire a local handyperson to help out. If you’re opting for a smart security system, it’s best to call in a home security company near you to make sure everything is set up correctly.
Previously, the biggest driver for home improvement work was financial, according to the 2023 State of Home Spending report. In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners were interested in projects that increase home value. But now more than ever, homeowners say they want to boost their at-home quality of life.
According to the 2023 State of Home Spending report, just over 35% of homeowners pointed to maintaining the condition of their homes as the top reason for completing work. Additionally, around 23% of homeowners stated that their leading motivating factor for spending was to make their homes fit their lifestyle needs better. Conversely, just under 5% of homeowners surveyed indicated their reason for completing work was in preparation for buying or selling their home.
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