How to Future Proof Your Home
With the average human lifespan increasing by about four years every decade, we are seeing a seismic shift in the way people live their lives and the way their homes function. Not only does this mean that a ‘greatest hits’ CD collection that you had at 19 is now redundant, it also means that the hardware you own at 26 might be outdated by the time you get to 70.
Rising longevity means that we are becoming increasingly reliant on our electronics to provide us with services like power and Internet connectivity. This means that the hardware in our homes needs to be increasingly energy efficient, reliable and capable of carrying out more tasks than it would’ve in the past. This all comes with the added bonus of us learning to enjoy the convenience that these services provide us with.
This applies to the home in every imaginable way, from the big screen TV that hangs on your wall to the smart thermostat that controls the temperature in your living room, we live in an age of tech where everything that needs doing can be done more conveniently with greater ease.
In short, home appliances are no longer just to do the cooking, cleaning and laundry, they are the foundation for a lifestyle in which we can connect and interact with our devices and services on a daily basis. That’s why there is a growing market of services dedicated to ensuring that you use your appliances to the maximum.
Here are a few tips for future proofing your home as we get ever closer to a world of smart homes…
1. Batteries Don’t Last Forever
How many times have you decided to get your washing machine done on the weekend when you go away for the weekend, but the batteries die before you get home. The ideal situation is to make sure that your washing machine has adequate battery life so that you can use it on your weekend getaway and then take the remainder of the week off, but that just isn’t always the case.
When it comes to laundry, all washing machines use an internal combustion engine. These engines need fuel in order to work, and what is more, they need regular re-fueling. This fuel can be found in a petrol tank, or a diesel tank. If the fuel you use to charge your washing machine runs out, your machine will no longer function.
For optimum performance and longevity, it is advisable to recharge your washing machine battery by plugging it into a domestic power supply. The better your home system, the more likely you are to have a backup fuel tank at your disposal, so if you are too far away from the nearest filling station, you can use your battery to charge your washing machine.
2. Don’t Wait Until You Have Charging Points
While we are aware that most homes do not have a consistent electricity supply, a plug socket on every floor or in every room is a great idea. Not only is it practical, but it also makes your house more efficient as you won’t have to worry about an outlet every time you want to use your washing machine.
It is best if you have all of your appliances and power points accessible, but if not, look to ensure that the one for your washing machine is accessible. Laundry pods should be stored away from other appliances to prevent damage to the new socket. They will also be able to access all of the resources of your home – whether that is TV, power, satellite radio or your lights. This reduces the risk of damage to other areas of the house.
3. Have the Right Appliances, Set Up and Communicate
While we are sure that most of us wouldn’t buy an appliance that wouldn’t last the test of time, don’t go down the route of purchasing cheap machines. In the long run, it costs you more money to keep replacing them. On the other hand, it is just as effective to get the most out of your washing machine, freezer, oven and dishwasher.
A major source of failure in your appliances is a poor design. Chances are that your appliances are not designed to co-ordinate with one another, so your dishwasher will go off when your washing machine is doing its thing. To avoid this, find a service that will properly ensure your appliances work together.
Another source of delay and frustration is your Wi-Fi connection. Most appliances will accept the correct firmware updates automatically, but if you don’t see an update on your oven, you should look to ensure that you have the right software installed. If the software you are using is out of date, your oven will simply stop working.
4. Take Control of Your Clutter
It is very common for a washing machine to break down due to a build-up of limescale. When you wash, clean and rinse your clothes, the residue from your body, soap and detergent deposits are then deposited on your clothes and added to the limescale. When you then leave your clothes to dry, limescale will dry, harden and become a problem, causing the motor to burn out.
Don’t let your limescale build-up reach a point where you can’t wash clothes anymore. An easy way to fight limescale is to thoroughly rinse the clothes and then air dry them. In fact, not washing your clothes once a week is a bad idea. Instead, hang your clothes on a rack or a line outside and let the sun and wind clean them before you throw them into your washing machine.
Limescale also occurs in dishwashers. Again, if you don’t keep your dishwasher clean, limescale will build up on your dishes and hamper the performance of your dishwasher. A better idea is to have a service regularly. This will be both less expensive and quicker to complete. However, it is vital that you pay attention to what you are throwing in your dishwasher so that you don’t add to the problem.
5. Keep Your Laundry Clean
Hanging your washing up directly outside to dry is great. The sun will dry your clothes in a matter of hours. However, if your neighbors have a dog, the likelihood of your clothes getting rained on is significantly increased. To keep your laundry clean, look for a launderette that will bring your clothes inside at the end of the day. Your clothes will only get rained on if your neighbors are particularly good at exercising their pet.
You should also have your washing machine serviced by an expert. You should also check the date on your warranty, as this may be too far away to fix your problem and if the warranty has expired, you may be liable for any service or repair costs. Most homeowners will have a warranty that lasts for a year or two, so it is worth looking at your warranty and check it.
It is also wise to have a cheap and cheerful laundry service in case of a breakdown, as you can save a significant amount by getting a repair company to repair your machines. Hiring out a machine may cost as little as £20 a week. Don’t feel disheartened if you’re finding that your appliances just aren’t working at the moment. For a small investment in your home, you can drastically improve the way your appliances work together.
6. Educate Yourself
It is important that you educate yourself about the pros and cons of having new appliances. It is perfectly possible to have new appliances that work together but still stay within the budget you have already set.
For example, consider replacing your washing machine with a better machine, like a top of the range Tumble Dryer. This will not only save you money on your weekly washing, it will also give you the opportunity to get in-depth information on this newer machine, so you can make the best use of it and still stay within budget.
You can also take some advice on small changes that can help. Consider putting your new washing machine on a timer, for example, instead of leaving it running all day. Or, if you want to add a third or fourth cycle to your laundry routine, consider a front loader. These are less likely to burn out, will keep your clothes cleaner for longer and should cost less to buy and run than a traditional top loader.
7. Try to Avoid Leaks
The cost of making an appliance leak will be very high. While a few leaks during the life of your machine is no big deal, frequent leaks can seriously reduce the lifespan of your appliances. You may not have noticed that you’ve been leaking but water can seep through your ceiling, crack your dishwasher glass and leak into your kitchen. An easy way to avoid this is to invest in a sealant for your pipes.
This can be applied by a plumber at a cost of around £40 to £50. This will prevent the water from seeping into your ceiling and walls and will give you peace of mind. Something else that can help with leakages is to install a water meter. This will enable you to measure your usage accurately, helping to avoid faulty and expensive appliances.
8. Overhaul Your Clutter
Clutter is a huge problem when it comes to household maintenance. If you have a lot of clutter, it is going to be much harder for your appliances to be cleaned or repaired. In fact, just having extra things cluttering up your home is enough to put you off, as clutter can take up much more of your living space than you think. A better way of tackling the problem of clutter is to clear out your clutter, in the form of old clothes, electrical equipment, documents and general clutter. You can either have it professionally done, or you can declutter it yourself. This can be a great way to ensure that you are living within your budget.
Decluttering can also be a great way of keeping up with the ever-changing trends. With so many new products released every day, and the consumer society is getting ever more competitive, it is important to keep up with the latest trends and protect your profits. There are plenty of ways to do this, from adding different textiles to your clothes and making sure that your floors are free of dust, to investing in new bathroom products.
In addition, you may want to invest in a multi-purpose tool that you can use to cut, carve, solder and drill into items such as tiles. There are so many ways that you can make sure that you stay on budget when it comes to getting your new appliances. Some of these methods can be avoided, but it is clear that it is not easy. However, with the help of the right budget tools, you can find the best way to not only spend within your budget but also keep your appliances working well for longer.
Wrapping – Up
So, there you have it. We hope that we’ve given you some useful information that you can put to use in your household. You do not have to buy expensive, brand-name items if you can make them last. There are plenty of tools, equipment and techniques that can help you keep your home functioning properly, in both the short and long term. Well, you have just read something completely different and completely refreshing.
Instead of being shy and retiring in the fight against budget, this is definitely a different approach. This is like an army of housewives, learning to become efficient, get things done and pay the most money in the shortest time. Do you know any tips and tricks to get more out of your money when it comes to appliances? What tips and tricks would you share with us? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
Must Read: Smart Home Technology and the Risks Associated with It