6 Helpful Hints Every Homeowner Should Know
Owning your own home in Colorado Springs offers incredible freedom and countless benefits, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility. Among other things, you'll be responsible for making sure your mortgage and all utilities are paid on time every month, that your home stays in good general condition, and that any necessary repairs are made in a timely manner. This week, The MacGuire Team is here to help you out with this quick checklist of a few helpful hints that can make your life much easier.
1. Make The Switch To LED Lighting
For a long time, incandescent bulbs were the only kind of lighting used in homes. While LED light bulbs are steadily becoming more popular, most houses still have a vast majority of incandescent bulbs. While LED lights cost more upfront, they use less energy and have significantly longer lifespans than their incandescent counterparts. Switching your interior lighting to LED bulbs may help save you money in the long run.
2. If Your Refrigerator Feels Hot, Check The Temperature Setting
Your refrigerator will only keep things as cold as you tell it to. If your refrigerator feels warmer to the touch than it normally does, check the temperature setting. This is especially important if you have young kids in the house who may have unknowingly altered the setting. If your fridge's vents are covered or blocked, this can also cause it to overheat (and run up your electric bill).
3. Use Glow-In-The-Dark Paint To Find Light Switches
There are a few things as frustrating as blindly searching your walls to find a light switch in the dark. Glow-in-the-dark paint can be easily found in most hardware stores and can make your life MUCH easier. Rather than painting over the entire light switch, though, we recommend painting a small stripe directly above or directly under the switch. It doesn't take much; just a small amount will help greatly when it comes to finding your way around in the dark.
4. Substitute Washcloths For Paint Brushes For Small Touch-Ups
Cleaning out paint brushes can be tedious and time-consuming. If you need to only make a few small touch-ups to your interior paint, use an old washcloth to dab paint over the trouble spots. Washcloths actually leave a very similar texture as paint rollers, so your touch-up should blend in well with the rest of the wall. When you're finished, either throw the cloth away or save it for the next time you need to make a repair.
5. Adjust Your Thermostat Every Time You Leave (Or Go To Sleep)
What temperature do you have your thermostat set to? 70°? 72°? Setting your thermostat to your ideal temperature during the morning and evening hours (when you're at home) is great, but you don't need to pay to keep it at this temperature at night when you're asleep and during the day when you're at work or school. Before leaving (or going to bed), adjust your thermostat a few degrees in the direction of the outside temperature. If you don't want to do this manually every day, consider installing a programmable thermostat.
6. Make Sure Your HVAC System Isn't Working Harder Than It Needs To
We all know we're supposed to change the air filters in our HVAC systems, but when is the last time you looked carefully at your home's exterior HVAC unit itself? If it has to work hard to create proper airflow, you're electricity bill will be higher. Trim back any bushes that are touching the unit and remove any leaves, dirt, sticks, or other items that may have fallen on or be leaned up against the unit. Your HVAC system (and your electric bill) will thank you!
Looking For A New Home In Colorado Springs?
If you are thinking about relocating to Colorado Springs, let me know! I have been working in Colorado Springs real estate for over two decades, and my team and I have the skills and knowledge you need to bring your real estate transaction to a successful closing. Let me know if you are ready to begin the search for your dream home in Colorado Springs!
Mike@BuyWithMike.com
1. Make The Switch To LED Lighting
For a long time, incandescent bulbs were the only kind of lighting used in homes. While LED light bulbs are steadily becoming more popular, most houses still have a vast majority of incandescent bulbs. While LED lights cost more upfront, they use less energy and have significantly longer lifespans than their incandescent counterparts. Switching your interior lighting to LED bulbs may help save you money in the long run.
2. If Your Refrigerator Feels Hot, Check The Temperature Setting
Your refrigerator will only keep things as cold as you tell it to. If your refrigerator feels warmer to the touch than it normally does, check the temperature setting. This is especially important if you have young kids in the house who may have unknowingly altered the setting. If your fridge's vents are covered or blocked, this can also cause it to overheat (and run up your electric bill).
3. Use Glow-In-The-Dark Paint To Find Light Switches
There are a few things as frustrating as blindly searching your walls to find a light switch in the dark. Glow-in-the-dark paint can be easily found in most hardware stores and can make your life MUCH easier. Rather than painting over the entire light switch, though, we recommend painting a small stripe directly above or directly under the switch. It doesn't take much; just a small amount will help greatly when it comes to finding your way around in the dark.
4. Substitute Washcloths For Paint Brushes For Small Touch-Ups
Cleaning out paint brushes can be tedious and time-consuming. If you need to only make a few small touch-ups to your interior paint, use an old washcloth to dab paint over the trouble spots. Washcloths actually leave a very similar texture as paint rollers, so your touch-up should blend in well with the rest of the wall. When you're finished, either throw the cloth away or save it for the next time you need to make a repair.
5. Adjust Your Thermostat Every Time You Leave (Or Go To Sleep)
What temperature do you have your thermostat set to? 70°? 72°? Setting your thermostat to your ideal temperature during the morning and evening hours (when you're at home) is great, but you don't need to pay to keep it at this temperature at night when you're asleep and during the day when you're at work or school. Before leaving (or going to bed), adjust your thermostat a few degrees in the direction of the outside temperature. If you don't want to do this manually every day, consider installing a programmable thermostat.
6. Make Sure Your HVAC System Isn't Working Harder Than It Needs To
We all know we're supposed to change the air filters in our HVAC systems, but when is the last time you looked carefully at your home's exterior HVAC unit itself? If it has to work hard to create proper airflow, you're electricity bill will be higher. Trim back any bushes that are touching the unit and remove any leaves, dirt, sticks, or other items that may have fallen on or be leaned up against the unit. Your HVAC system (and your electric bill) will thank you!
Looking For A New Home In Colorado Springs?
If you are thinking about relocating to Colorado Springs, let me know! I have been working in Colorado Springs real estate for over two decades, and my team and I have the skills and knowledge you need to bring your real estate transaction to a successful closing. Let me know if you are ready to begin the search for your dream home in Colorado Springs!
Mike MacGuire
Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent
The MacGuire Team
6760 Corporate Dr
Ste 300
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719-536-4324 or 719-660-6793
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