It’s that time of year where everyone focuses on what they want to improve in the coming 12 months. A chance to start fresh and begin again. A lot of resolutions are centered around self-improvement, but since we’re the restoration folks, we’ve got five resolutions to improve your home!

1. Check for leaks!

Many sources of water leaks are obvious – a dripping faucet is likely to be caught easily. But some aren’t so apparent: Toilets can be a not-so-obvious water leaker, for example. Toilet flapper valves are a source of hidden leaks, as are pipes (corrosion is a big factor here). Broken seals can be another often-looked-over source of leaks: Condensation or puddles near your dishwasher might be a clue. Take some time to inspect your home carefully for hidden leaks, and save yourself money down the road by taking care of the problem now.

2. Change your filters.

If you didn’t do this at the start of winter, now is a good time. HVAC filters should be checked every one to three months, and doing preventative maintenance now can lead to less expenses in the future, not to mention a more efficient system now.

3. Paint a room.

This won’t necessarily save you any money (and the paint will probably cost you), but colour schemes in any given room actually play on your mood. If you find a particularly room completely uninspiring, give the walls a makeover. Lavender is calming, yellow is energizing, and green promotes tranquility.

Tip #4 and #5 can be read by clicking on DKI Canada Blog Page!

As the leaves turn colorful and the cool breeze comes in, here are some great energy saving tips for this fall:

Windows and Insulation

• During sunny days, leave your blinds and drapes open to allow the solar heat to warm your home.
• Check to see if your insulation is up to par. You can find this out by measuring its thickness; if there is less than 7 inches of rock wool or fiberglass, or 6 inches of cellulose, consider adding more.

Heating

• Every degree you lower your thermostat while heating your home, you save about 2 percent on your heating bill. Try it out.
• Adding a humidifier to your home can help you keep your thermostat at lower temperatures while still ensuring optimal comfort.
• Be sure to change your furnace’s filter(s) frequently to achieve improved air flow which in turn allows the furnace to run more efficiently.

Lighting

• Replace light bulbs. Switching to CFLs or LED bulbs can provide greater cost-savings, as they use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Install motion sensors or timers on your external lights. Some lights offer an app for your smartphone, so you can control them from your phone.

Household  

• Chop up leaves with your lawn mower to create a layer of mulch that will slowly break down and give your lawn nutrients.
• Wash laundry with full loads, and try to use cold water as much as possible. Approximately 90% of your washing machine’s energy goes towards heating the water itself.
• When cooking on the stove, make sure to put lids on pots to cook food quicker and save energy.