Being a few days into the New Year, many people like to set goals for what they hope to accomplish in the months to come. Your home can definitely be part of these aspirations! Here are a few small ways you can improve your home for 2017.

Plan a Budget for Improvements
Take a look at home improvements you hope to accomplish this year. Whether you’re ready to buy a new refrigerator, purchase new flooring, or it’s time to replace your roof, improvements are costly. Plan your yearly budget with these projects in mind to prevent you from overspending, that way there is money available for when you’re ready to make the changes.

Limit Water Use
Our homes eat up about 400 gallons of water each day which can equal hundreds of dollars in water and sewer costs. Save money this year by installing EPA certified WaterSense products. Purchase low-flow shower heads and replace old toilets with low flow toilets. These high efficiency toilets use compressed air and electric water pumps to flush using less than 1 gallon of water. Older toilets can use up to 8 gallons per flush.

Cut Energy Use
Start 2017 by cutting energy use in your home. A great place to start is checking the duct work on your HVAC system. Leaking ducts cause serious energy waste. By sealing and insulating your duct work, you will save big this winter on heating bills and also save this summer when it’s time to turn up the AC.

Purify Air
Did you know that the EPA has indoor air quality listed as a top environmental health hazard? During the winter when the doors and windows are closed the air is full of possible contaminants such as dust, mold spores, and viruses. Make sure the ventilation systems in your home exhaust air to the outside rather than in an attic or between ceiling joints. You can also purchase a portable air purifier for each room to remove pollutants.