I don’t know about you, but I want a comfortable home. I want to create a space that invites people to relax and helps them rejuvenate. The problem is I need my home to be efficient, too. And, I’m not just talking about energy efficiency, though in a large, old home, that’s really important to our pocketbooks. I want my home to function in a way that helps hospitality be a little less of a hassle, makes cooking a little less chaotic, and creates coziness and comfort.
What about you? How would improving your home’s comfort and efficiency free you to use your home as a center of ministry and help it be more of a haven for you, your family, and your friends?
From decluttering your home to making use of smart technology, below are ten simple ways to transform your home for maximum comfort and efficiency.
#1 – Conquer the Clutter
When I find myself hesitant to open my home to others, there is usually one major reason: clutter. If my counters are covered, my kitchen feels too cluttered to clean. It’s overwhelming. If the laundry is piled up, I put it off. For this reason, I know that one of the first things I need to do to make my home more comfortable and efficient is conquer the clutter.
It’s not just all the random paper kids come up with or the Tupperware cabinet that’s overflowing. Sometimes, we just have too much stuff. I would never call myself a hoarder, but I have an affinity for old things. Family things. They’re not even always things I love or even really like, but if I know it belonged to my great aunt so and so, I find it hard to part with.
But, let’s be honest: less is usually more.
So this summer I am hoping to tackle all the things…or at least some of them. Old clothes? Gone. Freeing up closet space would make my mountain of laundry easier to move. That Tupperware cabinet? Cleaned out. Nobody needs this many containers. Just not feeling like they’re going to fall out every time I open the doors will make my kitchen more comfortable.
The thing is that once I get things decluttered, I need to do a regular declutter so I can stay ahead of things and my home will be more efficient and ready for whatever comes our way.
#2 – Utilize smart technology
Smart technology is definitely something that you can make use of when it comes to keeping your home comfortable and efficient, when it comes to day-to-day maintenance, and the upkeep of your property.
There are a lot of appliances now that come with smart tech features, including dishwashers, washing machines, heating systems, and more. Being able to control all of these appliances from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet device can be extremely helpful, especially when you’re not at home.
Consider what smart technology you could add to your home and what you might be lacking when it comes to efficiency. Just being able to adjust the thermostat when no one’s home could go a long way to keeping energy costs down.
#3 – Improve insulation
If you ever need to understand the importance of insulation, you should just walk into my attic in July. Without proper insulation, our homes do not retain heat in the winter or cool as easily in the summer, which increases energy usage and cost.
Some homes come with ample insulation, but older homes like ours are not always up to date when it comes to insulation. It’s always a good idea to consider what your home’s insulation looks like and what improvements you might need to make.
You might need to add insulation in the ceilings or to the wall cavities. Nowadays, when it comes to insulation, you can pretty much use it anywhere and everywhere. There are also plenty of different types of insulation that you could make use of, depending on what budget you have and your preferences, of course.
#4 – Seal drafts
Sealing drafts is a good way of keeping out any cool air that might be coming into your home. When it comes to sealing drafts, you want to be mindful of what products you’re using and whether you’re able to do this effectively yourself.
It’s possible you don’t the experience required to seal drafts, so it might be worth hiring a professional to do this. You’ll want to check where the drafts are coming from and how big of a job it will be to seal the drafts present.
It’s always good to check regularly throughout the property, especially in the run-up to the winter months. This will ensure you’re staying on top of any problem areas so that during the cooler months of the year, the home is staying nice and toasty for the whole household.
#5 – Upgrade lighting
Upgrading your lighting is certainly something you want to consider, especially when it comes to making your home more efficient. Not only that, but the right lighting in your hojme will set the ambience of the space, making it more comfortable for you and your guests as a result.
Think about the lighting setups you have currently and what you might wish to change for the sake of brightening the space, or doing the opposite. Sometimes, picking a bright and harsh light can ruin the effect of the room you’re looking to create. I always prefer a soft white light, but unlike my husband, I want a lot of it. He prefers dimmer rooms. I think the purpose of a room should be a factor in how you choose lighting. In the kitchen, I want to see. A family room might feel cozier with a little less lightl.
There are some great lighting options to help your home be more energy efficient. LED lights are the be the most effective when it comes to your energy consumption, so you might wish to change your lights to these where appropriate.
#6 – Invest in energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient appliances can be extremely helpful when it comes to saving energy, and it’s a good idea to consider if your older appliances are helping or hurting. Some of the appliances around your home might once have been effective in their ability to run on as little energy as possible, but an upgrade may be worth the cost in savings on your energy bill.
Check the energy efficiency of an appliance when you’re shopping for a new appliance to be sure you’re buying the most efficient option.
#7 – Consider renewable energy
Renewable energy is certainly something you want to think about when it comes to improving your energy consumption. The most popular form of renewable energy is solar power. Solar panels have been installed on a number of properties in order to save some money on utilities, as well as to reduce the amount of reliance on other power sources.
Think about what options are available when it comes to renewable energy sources, and consider going with a company for your utilities that is a greener option than others. If you can’t do renewable energy within your home, you might even just consider solar-powered outdoor lighting. Little changes can have a big impact.
#8 – Maintain HVAC systems
HVAC solutions are an important part of running a home that’s comfortable and efficient. I mean, let’s face it: no one wants the HVAC system to go out in July.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to consider how to best maintain your HVAC system so that it continues to perform as it should. Regular maintenance is a given, of course, as well as getting it checked by a professional annually.
The best approach to have when it comes to your HVAC system is that if you spot anything that doesn’t seem quite right and could be a sign of a problem, get it fixed as soon as you can. Don’t wait around and hope that it’s just a blip in the system that has fixed itself. It’s always best to get help so that the underlying issue can be sorted out and bigger problems can be avoided.
#9 – Improve ventilation
Ventilation is an important one because if you’re not ventilating your home properly, you’re more than likely to cause problems like mold and dampness.
Consider what ventilation you need to address, especially in rooms where there’s a lot of high moisture, like the bathroom, for example, where there might not be immediate access to a window.
Improving ventilation doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it can make a big difference in how your home feels and how safe it is for your household. Look at getting a dehumidifier, especially in rooms prone to high moisture content. That way, you’re able to reduce the moisture clinging to walls and windows, creating that mold you wanted to avoid.
#10 – Replace any windows and doors where needed
Windows and doors, over time, will start to underperform and become worn from external weather conditions. Typically, you’ll get fifteen to twenty years of usage for your doors, but for your windows, it’s anywhere between twenty to twenty-five years.
All of ours are past that time limit and need to be upgraded or replaced.
While some might last longer, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your windows and doors for any tell-tale signs that might indicate you need a new window or door installed. Doing so will help keep your home well-insulated and will also help to strengthen the security of your home.
Transforming your home for the comfort and efficiency of your household is vital to creating a haven for everyone who enters your home, and following these ten tips will help keep it that way for years to come.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
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