Home is where the heart is. It’s your domain, your cove. Unfortunately, your home presents its own problems every now and then, leaving you tearing your hair out and dipping into your precious savings to fix them. Let’s take a look at some common home problems and their solutions so you can keep your cool and control of your kingdom.
Source: Flickr1. A high utility bill High utility bills are the bane of any homeowner’s existence, cutting into your wallet and making you wonder if you really need lights or running water. Utilities are especially pricey in the summer and winter, when the extreme temperatures have you cranking up the air conditioning or heater.
Whether you do or do not have an air system in your home already, consider a ductless air conditioning and heating system. The lack of ducts makes these more efficient than traditional air systems. Ducts are vulnerable to leaks and convective heat transfer, which overall means your system has to chug harder to keep the temperature regulated. Plus, if you want something better than a window unit but don’t have ducts already in your walls—no sweat, you don’t need ‘em!
There are many other ways to reduce your utility bill. Most of them just require being smarter about how you use your lights and appliances. Ask your utility company about auditing your home for maximum energy savings
2. Dust Composed of skin cells, dirt, debris, bug parts, and all kinds of other things, dust is an inescapable part of any modern home. Increased dust could point to a dirty air filter in your furnace or air conditioner. Make sure you change out the filter once a month.
Your bedding is a major distributor of dust. The mix of skin flakes and fabric fibers tumble out of your bed every time you roll over. Wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly—ideally once a week. Take items that can’t be washed, like blankets and bedspreads, outside, give them a good shake, and hang them in the sun, which is the best disinfectant.
3. Dry indoor air In the winter, indoor air tends to dry up, causing eye irritation, nosebleeds, countless bad hair days, and static shocks whenever you reach for the door. The best way to fix that dryness is to introduce some moisture into the air. Use a humidifier, vaporizer, or steam generator to lift water up and into your home’s air. If you don’t have any of those, a wet towel, bowls of water spread throughout the home, and a full bathtub can be just as effective—although wasteful. If possible, invest in a simple humidifier.
4. Cold floors One of the most unpleasant feelings in the world is transferring your feet from the warmth of your bed to a freezing cold floor. Use plenty of area rugs on your hard floors or invest in a good pair of morning slippers. Cold floors may also point to an air leak or insulation issues.
Your home should present as little hassle as possible, so do your best to keep things comfortable and contact a professional if necessary.