5 Qualities That Make A Livable And Hospitable House

1. Superior Thermal Comfort

Thermal comfort is when people feel satisfied with the temperature of any given space. They don’t feel either too hot or too cold no matter the weather or season. However, creating a pleasant indoor climate isn’t only limited to turning on the AC or heater when needed. There are many home improvement upgrades that can help homeowners achieve ideal indoor temperatures, as well as increase their energy savings.

Home insulation, for example, is designed to ensure that the indoors stays at the perfect temperature by keeping heat in during winter and heat out during summer. Insulation is also made to be installed in several areas of the home, like the walls, attic, roof, ceiling, crawlspace, and basement, allowing homeowners to maximize its benefits.

When insulation is properly installed, homeowners will be able to achieve a more comfortable home environment. They can also help prevent air leaks to some extent, although proper air sealing is still highly recommended to fully achieve the desired effects. . Moreover, an insulated home will rely less on its HVAC system to keep the indoor climate pleasant since the insulation will be doing most of the work.

Different insulation products offer different levels of R-value, a measure of how effective a product is at preventing heat transfer.  The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating quality a product possesses. The ideal product to choose will depend on the homeowner’s budget, the home’s design, the part of the house where insulation will be installed, and the climate zone in which the house is located     

For example, if you live in the warmer parts of the country like Florida, New Orleans, and Houston, you can get away with using a little insulation to achieve thermal comfort. As such, products that have an R13 or or an R15 insulation value will suffice if you’re insulating your walls. On the other hand, if you live in colder areas like New York, North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota, it’s recommended to get insulation with a higher R-value like R21. This helps to ensure that you’re able to keep the indoors sufficiently warm during the cold seasons.

2. Healthy Air Quality

A lot of people think that their indoor air is healthier and safer than the air outside. However, it’s possible that the air quality inside a house can be just as polluted as outdoor air. Mold spores, dust, as well as harmful chemicals from tobacco and cleaning products can linger in the air. When one is overexposed to these substances and particles, they can develop respiratory and skin problems. For this reason, homeowners need to make the effort to keep their home’s air quality fresh and clean.

Aside from vacuuming rugs and carpets and regularly cleaning surfaces, homeowners should also change the air filters of their HVAC system every 3 months. Over time, these air filters accumulate dust and other impurities, which makes them prone to diffusing harmful particles into the air. Homeowners should also have their duct system professionally cleaned regularly. Dirty air ducts are less efficient and have more difficulty delivering air throughout the home.

To further improve the home’s air quality, homeowners can also invest in an air purifier. Many air purifiers are equipped with a HEPA filter, which is designed to filter 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 micrometer or larger Having an air purifier with such an efficient filtering device can go a long way in improving the quality of your indoor air.

It’s also ideal to make sure that your home is well-ventilated. Having proper ventilation improves air circulation, controls the humidity levels of your home, as well as prevents air contaminants from lingering in your living spaces. Ensuring that areas like the attic and basement get good ventilation also reduces the risk of mold growth and wood rot. 

3. Good Plumbing

It’s important that the plumbing of a house is free from clogs, rusty or weak pipes, and other types of damage. This ensures that the kitchen sink, toilet, drainage, and other plumbing fixtures won’t cause problems like sewer backups, burst pipes, leaks, and water contamination. These types of water damage aren’t only expensive to repair, but they promote mold and mildew growth as well. They also create damp environments that make perfect habitats for mold and pests.

To prevent these issues from happening, homeowners should have their plumbing system professionally checked and maintained. This way, they can immediately point out the early signs of water damage and have them repaired before they get worse.

4. Excellent Lighting

Keeping one’s home properly illuminated has several benefits. Not only will the occupants have enough light to see when it’s dark, but having proper lighting can also reduce the risk of accidents while making the house a less ideal target for criminal elements.  On top of affording practical and functional benefits, lighting, when used appropriately, can also provide positive effects on the mood of a home’s occupants. This is precisely why you should also consider leveraging natural lighting during the day. Letting some daylight into your home can be beneficial to your health by making you feel happier, calmer, and more productive.

5. Cleanliness

Aside from installing home upgrades and repairing faulty fixtures, homeowners need to make sure that their home and its surroundings are always clean. There’s a practical reason why chores need to be done on a regular basis, and it’s all about preventing dirt from accumulating in your home, discouraging vermin from infiltrating your house, and helping you avoid exposure to pathogenic elements.   Keeping the cleanliness of your property can also help you psychologically. After all, a clean house appears more spacious and less busy, which could very well affect the state of your mind.

Creating a welcoming and comfortable home atmosphere can be a daunting task, especially when homeowners don’t know where to begin. Thankfully, by knowing these 5 qualities that make a livable and hospitable home, improving one’s dwelling will be a goal that’s easier to achieve.