Our journey to first-time homeownership felt like a marathon. Before getting the keys in hand, we went through a series of processes with lots of paper to sign. And when it was all over, we had a sense of relief. But there was no time to rest though. A lot of things needed to be prepped. One of our biggest goals was to save on utility bills for years to come. Here is a checklist that we used to get organized.
Cleaning and Painting
Painting cleaning is part of getting a new house organized for occupancy. Before moving into our first home, we hired professionals to do a thorough cleaning job and painting. The two activities were easier to complete in empty rooms. It would have probably taken longer if we had packed the house first with furniture and other stuff.
Another area we needed to polish is the Window Treatments. We wanted to give our guests a great first impression. We did a thorough check on both the blinds to see that they matched our taste. Our contractor took measurements of the windows before getting the right hardware.
Planning for Utilities in Advance
We live in an interconnected world today meaning that a house without internet and electricity is unbearable. That’s precisely why we couldn’t wait to hook up the essential amenities before relocating. We would most definitely need the electricity connection up and running for the amount of electronics (you can visit the site here to look at a few good ones for your own home) in the house. Our internet cables got connected in advance before the deadline. Since I had taken a week off, I made sure I was at the new house before the technician arrived.
But there was one thing we almost forgot. We realized we had not changed the utility bill names two days after moving in. Yet we know it is extremely important for new homeowners to have the accounts under their name. Luckily, the previous occupant did not owe utility companies any outstanding bills for all the appliances in the house. As such, changing the accounts was pretty easy. Otherwise, we would have faced a hard time during our first month in a new home with hefty expenses.
Water Pipe Insulation
The house we purchased was slightly over a decade older and it was no surprise that the water pipes were exposed. So we had to wrap them with insulation to save energy. Exposed hot water pipes are prone to losing heat as water travels through them to taps and showers. Pipe insulation is especially critical in the garage and basement where temperatures tend to be lower. Moreover, insulation allows hot water to flow faster to the faucets. When checking the pipes, the first few feet from the heater are the most critical. Quality insulation pays off in the long run. This isn’t just because of the heat and efficient pipe work, good insulation actually helps to minimise the risk of pests, such as mice, arriving at your property. However, companies that offer pest control elizabethtown way, or pest control services wherever you are moving to, are there to help you if this was to occur.
Safeguarding the Systems
There are many ways to detect a faulty system in a new home. For instance, dead batteries in the smoke detectors translate to the risk of carbon monoxide in the house. Since the gas has neither color nor smell, it is not easy to detect it naturally. The best bet is to install a carbon monoxide detector and make sure it is working by installing new batteries.
Sometimes water in a new home tends to run too hot or cold. This is usually about the heat settings. They must be reset to the right levels. Then the fire extinguishers must be placed at their strategic locations- one in the kitchen and others on each floor. An emergency kit should be somewhere that is easy access and must be checked for expiry every 6 months. it should also be tailored according to household needs.
LED or CFL Lights
One of the best ways to save on electricity bills, in the long haul, is the use of LEDs and CFL bulbs. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they have a relatively long lifespan. So they make a worthwhile investment for a new home. They are ideal for areas that require lighting most of the time such as the kitchen and living room. CFL bulbs are cheaper but they cannot measure up to the performance of LEDs. When we bought the house, we got a few quotes from a detached garage builder as we really wanted another outdoor space. Once that was built, we immediately got some LED lights installed to try and save some money!
A new home is not yet ready for occupation until you customize it to your liking. As you change the address, don’t forget to change the locks and garage security code. Get ready for the responsibilities of a homeowner with the above list of what to do immediately after purchasing a house. Finally, don’t forget to be kind to others and the environment. You can give away the moving boxes after unpacking or recycle them. Take good care of the new residence and learn where everything is.
