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Another bit of advice, says Paul: Stay on top of replacement costs. Since the pandemic, prices for construction materials have increased more than 35 percent, and the cost of labor has

risen 30 percent. But just 30 percent of homeowners increased their insurance coverage during this period, according to a report from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

The rising cost to rebuild your house if it burns down or floods, for example, could leave you without adequate coverage in the event of a claim if you haven’t taken the cost increases

into account.  IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY You might be surprised to learn that the air inside your home can be more seriously polluted than the air outside, according to the EPA. Poor indoor

air quality has been linked to headaches, dizziness, nose and throat irritation, and fatigue. Make a resolution to breathe easier in the New Year. Controlling humidity levels, with a

humidifier or dehumidifier, replacing filters in the HVAC system, using air purifiers, boosting air flow by running exhaust fans or leaving windows open as weather permits, and avoiding

harsh cleaning products and items with strong scents can help you improve indoor air quality. SCHEDULE A HOME ENERGY AUDIT The cost of heat, hot water, and running appliances and lighting

adds up, and you could be spending more than necessary on your home energy bills (not to mention having an outsize impact on the environment). A home energy audit is a resolution that could

cut costs and carbon. John Karasaki, an energy efficiency specialist for Portland General Electric, in Oregon, describes a home energy audit as a comprehensive examination of your home’s

energy use to calculate where improvements can be made. “Without a comprehensive audit, which will prioritize and order which systems should be addressed first, customers tend to go after

what they _feel_ will give them the biggest benefit, but may not really do so or be the most cost effective,” Karasaki adds. Your energy utility or nonprofit organizations like Earth

Advantage can help you connect with home energy auditors. The average cost for a home energy audit ranges from $200 to $700, according to Angi.​ HIRE A CHIMNEY SWEEP The chimney sweep isn’t

just a character in Mary Poppins. These experts inspect and clean chimneys, fireplaces, smoke ducts and flue pipes to ensure your fireplace is in good working order. Annual chimney cleaning

also helps remove creosote, a byproduct of burning wood, which can build up on the interior of the chimney. “Chimneys that are not properly cleaned and maintained carry an increased risk of

fire and the presence of carbon monoxide in the home,” says Susan McKelvey, communications manager for the National Fire Protection Association.