Step 3. Make Sure Your Home is Healthy

We spend lots of time and energy making our homes more attractive, more comfortable, and more efficient. But are our homes healthy? It’s an often-overlooked but important question that involves a major factor: the air we breathe.

Common indoor air pollutants include:

– Carbon monoxide

– VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Formaldehyde and other chemicals

– Mold and mildew

To reduce indoor air pollution:

Kitchen: Install a range hood over the stove that’s vented to the outside and use it whenever you cook.

Bathroom: Install an exhaust fan vented to the outside, and run it during and for 15-20 minutes after showering or bathing to reduce mold and mildew.

Air Filter: Install a high-quality air filter on your heating/cooling system, and replace it every 1-3 months.

Ductwork: Seal any leaks in HVAC ductwork with metallic duct tape, duct mastic, and caulk.

Air Cleaner: Consider installing a whole house air cleaner, such as the Carrier Infinity Air Purifier.

Vacuum Cleaner: Replace canister or upright vacuum cleaners with a central vacuum system, such as those made by Broan-NuTone, to remove dust and dirt from your home.

Venting: Make sure all gas appliances and fireplaces are properly vented to the outside.

Fireplace: Have wood-burning fireplaces inspected annually and cleaned if needed.

Carbon Monoxide: Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Radon Gas: Test the air in your home for the presence of radon gas, and take steps to eliminate it from the air.


Step 4. Winterize Your Home

Keep the warm air in, and the cold air out. It seems simple enough, but there are several things you can do to make your house more energy efficient.

Save money on the rising cost of heating your home with these winterizing tips:

Step 5. Deck the Halls

Your home should be ready to entertain — now you can show off some Christmas spirit.

Decorating for the holidays should be a fun family filled activity. Just make sure you are doing it safely. Every year about 8,000 injuries occur from accidents related to holiday decorating activities. Be sure to check out these holiday home safety tips.

Christmas tree

Whether you cut down your own tree at a Christmas tree farm or visit one of the many tree lots popping up during the holidays, selecting and bringing home a Christmas tree is one of the highlights of the season.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how to select and care for a cut Christmas tree.

Let your house stand out this holiday season by stringing up some festive lights. You don’t have to go the old-fashioned route of nailing up the lights either. Check out this Simple Solution to safely put up Christmas lights without having to touch a hammer.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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