2 New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep

We all give ourselves resolutions that are easy and a few that will probably never happen. Give yourself some more of those simple ones to check off the list. Here are two ideas that you can add to the right away list and can do right away. 

While New Year’s resolutions are often about self-improvement, we’re adding some home improvement to our list this year. Mark these down as two resolutions you can execute this year. Your home will thank you for it. 

Resolution 1: Cut down your bills (and your carbon footprint too)

When people think of going green and energy saving, they often think they have to purchase a wind farm or put million dollar solar panels on their house.

There are so many small and simple home improvement projects that can save you money and energy consumption.

Try these to start: 

• Dodge-drafts.
  • Check weather-stripping around your storm door. The drafts that you may be feeling from your front door is most likely because your weather stripping is not on correctly. These can be easily replaced if you need, but just check to make sure they are on correctly to block the drafts from your door. 
  • Your storm windows also have weather striping that needs to be checked.  This is a quick exam that can block drafts and cut energy use. If you have drafty windows, add storm windows for the best energy saving results.
• Turn off the lights. Don’t forget your mom’s advice and turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Unplug electronics. While not in use, unplug your electronics. It’s so simple to leave items plugged in because of habit, especially phone chargers. According to the U.S. Energy Department, these chargers are continually drawing power, even when no device is connected to them. In fact, it’s estimated that the average charger is consuming .26 watts of energy when not in use and 2.24 watts even when a fully charged device is connected to it. 

Resolution 2: Make sure you can take a breath of fresh air.

Your home may look great, but make sure it’s safe to take in a breath of fresh air.  Odorless and poisonous gasses are on top of the home improvement check list to ensure your new year is the best it can be.

• Let in the breeze. While spring and summer feel a long way away, you can get a jump on prep. Adding a storm door with a retractable screen, full screen or interchangeable screen can make a huge difference in the spring, summer and fall. Adding any of these gives you the freedom and flexibility to turn off the AC and let in the breeze, keeping your home more comfortable and cutting down on your energy usage. These are very easy to install and just add to the curb appeal you already have. 
• Do a radon check. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe. It’s estimated that one in 15 homes have elevated radon levels. Radon test kits cost around $20 and can be found at most hardware stores.
• Carbon Monoxide checks. Be sure to install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor in addition to fire detectors. A small investment of around $40 for these can save your life.

Adding these to your resolutions will make this year your homes best year yet! If you are looking to add more protection to your home, our full lines of storm doors, storm windows, retractable screens and Scenix Porch solutions can be found on at www.larsondoors.com.