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When you are setting goals to make life fabulous in 2018, do not forget the place that you spend the majority of your time: your house. Check off the following five to-dos around your home to make sure loved ones living in your home are healthy, happy, and safe in the new year.
1. Test the indoor air quality
As scary as it sounds, the air you are breathing inside might be more harmful than the air outside. To keep the family safe, use January as your time to test the air quality in your home for invisible threats and pollutants that may cause breathing issues, allergies and additional harmful conditions.
One way you should go about testing includes hiring a professional to look for certain allergens or chemicals, such as asbestos, radon, or mold and additional toxic substances. Professionals specializing in a specific kind of testing are going to take a sample then diagnose any issues quickly. One other choice for testing includes checking for everything and anything in a single swoop. The price to test for a broader array of pollutants is greater, yet you will check lots of possible issues off your list before anything becomes a problem.
2. Make certain your house is properly insulated
Unless your house was built for energy efficiency, you probably can decrease your energy bills by adding more insulation, according to Energy.gov. Insulation offers heat flow resistance, and the more heat flow resistance the insulation offers, the lower your cooling and heating costs.
To decide if you could be saving, hire a home energy auditor to check the insulation of your home. A whole-home energy evaluation, also referred to as a home energy audit, is going to identify the amount and location of insulation in your house and pinpoint areas that need sealing. You can perform a self energy audit online or request an eScore Evaluation for a fee.
Once you determine your existing insulation’s condition, find a contractor to add more.
3. Streamline your stuff
To begin 2018 uncluttered, organize the house from top to bottom. It is a huge undertaking, so break it up by area. Organize closets, your desk, attic, kitchen, and garage. Then, donate unused and old items. Have a problem staying organized? Decrease stress and consider employing an expert organizer.
4. Check all carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors
If you cannot recall the last time you looked at the functionality of the smoke detectors, it is time. More than 60% of all fire-associated fatalities occur in houses that do not have a smoke detector, and relying upon non-working devices is the exact same as having none.
5. Establish a week-to-week system of cleaning
After spending some time getting the house organized, guarantee that it remains that way by establishing a week-to-week system of cleaning. If you have a desire to do it on your own, carve out a set time each week which is dedicated to certain cleaning tasks. Alternate those larger jobs, such as washing windows and linens, on a bi-weekly basis; do smaller jobs, such as cleaning counters and dusting, weekly.
