December 31, 2025

Making your home part of your 2026 New Year’s Resolutions

As we plan for 2026, resolutions are being bandied about as part of the New Year rituals. Lose weight, exercise more, travel abroad, keep my home maintenance current. Wait, what was that?

Exactly. Most of us aren’t thinking about our home among the many resolutions being considered for 2026. But, the technicians at Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric most certainly are and have a few resolutions you might want to consider to give yourself some peace of mind in the new year.

Protect Your Pipes

Applewood’s master plumbers know healthy pipes, make for a healthy home. Think about your own health and transfer that to the systems that keep your home running, specifically the water in your home. You can reduce your water bill by fixing running toilets, changing washers in leaky faucets and checking drains for clogs before they become major repairs.

Winter will come and protecting your pipes from freezing temperatures should be at the top of your New Year list. Be aware of pipes exposed to external walls, use insulation on pipes in crawl spaces and other open areas.

Annual check ups can make a big difference in your overall home’s plumbing. Flushing the water tank can eliminate sediment and ensure hot water flows when you want it most.

Change batteries & Check Outlets

Like your plumbing, the electrical systems in our homes require some regular attention to ensure they operate efficiently. Homeowners can make a resolution to take simple steps like testing arc and ground fault circuit breakers in the electrical panel and GFI receptacles throughout the house, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms, to help prevent risk of fire and electrical shock, according to BJ Hemion, master electrician.

“For an easy new year resolution, I would be sure to change the batteries in their smoke detectors,” said Hemion. “And, space heaters, which seem small and simple, can pose some real fire and electrical dangers. I would avoid using them if possible.”

Yearly, more than 50,000 homes suffer property damage from fires caused by aging wiring, overloaded circuits and misused cords, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Change your filters

Your HVAC systems merit some new year considerations, too. As weather changes, consistent heating and cooling throughout your home maintains your comfort and can save you money. Regular checkups – like those annual physicals for you – keep your furnace and AC units operating at their optimal level, can improve air quality, ensure there are no carbon monoxide leaks and extend the life of your systems.

“The most important thing you can do is change your filter regularly. Most people don’t realize their system needs to breathe,” said Jeremy Gonzalez, HVAC technician. “A clean system ensures your efficiency is better and your equipment lasts longer.” 

In another note, Gonzalez also recommended changing the batteries in your thermostat with each new year. When the HVAC system is performing its best it can lower energy bills, prevent costly repairs and reduce stress to know things are working well and that your family is as safe as they can be.