You have successfully found and purchased your dream home, so now what? Well, now that the house is yours there are a few things that you need to check on, just to make sure everything is working in tip-top shape. There may be some minor changes or fixes that you need to make. Here is a list of some things you may need to look into.
Change the Locks
Before you move into your new home go ahead and have your locks changed or change them yourself. Changing the locks is a fairly simple, and relatively inexpensive way to give yourself peace of mind in your new home. You never know how many keys may be out there floating around from previous owners or tenants. If you change the locks or have them changed you know exactly how many keys there are to your new home and who has them.
Check the Insulation
If your attic is unfinished as most are, take a look around up there and see how much insulation is up there. If there isn’t enough go ahead and make sure that you add some insulation. You need to have at least six inches of insulation in between the beams, and more if you live in an exceptionally cold climate. Having adequate insulation can help you save on the energy costs of heating and cooling your home.
Check the Temperature on Your Hot Water Heater
Take a look and see what temperature your water heater is set on. Your water heater needs to be set at 120 degrees, any hotter than that and you run the risk that you may get burned. Having it set any higher is also going to raise your energy costs unnecessarily as it takes more energy to keep the water hotter.
Ceiling Fans
If there are not already ceiling fans installed you will want to install them in most rooms of your new home. If there are already ceiling fans installed check to make sure that they are circulating in the right direction for the season. During the summer months, you want to push the room air down to where you are so the fan needs to run in a counter-clockwise direction.
During the colder months, you want to pull the room air up towards the ceiling and push the warm air down into the room. During the winter your ceiling fans should be running in a clockwise direction. There is a small switch on the ceiling fan that you can push to change the direction that it turns.
Check Your Plumbing
When you first move into your new home it is a good idea to check on all of your faucets and toilets. Make sure that there are no drips, and that your toilets aren’t running constantly. Little leaks like a toilet that always runs, or a faucet that drips constantly can end up costing you a lot when your water bill comes due. Most of these problems can be fixed very easily without needing a plumber.
Check Your Air Vents
If your new home has central heating and air conditioning then there will be air vents all over your home. Make sure that these vents are not obstructed by furniture, that they are all open, dust-free, and in good working order. If any of the vents are not in good condition they can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
These are just a few of the things that you will want to check in your new home as you are settling in. Simple fixes can give you peace of mind, and in the end, leave your home running more efficiently.