Home improvement projects typically involve painting your walls or building a new shelf. Thanks to technology, you can take it up a notch. Why settle for decorations when you can make your house better suited for your needs?
Avoid complicated work that only industrial electrical contractors or engineers can do. If you pick the right projects, you can have a state-of-the-art house by doing the work yourself.
Check out these home projects that are safe for beginners and take your house to the next level:
Replace Your Old Toilet
If you’ve ever spent time in Japan, you’ve probably noticed their unique restrooms. It’s usually clean, whether it’s a private or public one. You won’t find any air dryer or tissue paper. But their standout feature is their toilets. They have special features like heated seats, lids that automatically open and close, and built-in washers. Depending on the model, it might even play music and have night lights. The best thing about it is that you don’t need to hire a professional to have one at your home. You can install it yourself using just a few tools. Brands like TOTO and INAX have apps and videos that show how easy it is to install their products.
It becomes more complicated when you don’t have an outlet that’s near enough to your toilet. These high-tech toilets usually only have short cords. You may need to hire a technician to install an outlet for you. The alternative is using an extension cord, which is not advisable due to safety reasons.
Get a New Thermostat
Do you always have high electricity bills? It may be because of your temperature control settings. Figures from the Energy Information Administration show that heating and cooling make up 31% of households’ energy use. You can easily reduce the costs by using a smart thermostat.
It may seem counterproductive since they use Wi-Fi, touch screen and voice control. But smart thermostats are great for efficient electricity consumption. The models on the market have different features, but they all make it easier to control the temperature. You can program your schedule so it can automatically set the temperature for you. It turns into power saving mode when you’re away. When you’re at home, it sets to your preferred temperature. You can also control them using your phone. This means that even if you’ve already left the house, you can still change the settings.
Another good reason to buy a smart thermostat is that you can save money by installing it yourself. Make sure to follow the device’s instruction manual and use guides for reference. But remember to save your old thermostat for safe keeping. If it still works fine, you can still find some use for them in the future.
Install a New Shower Head
When it comes to relaxation, showers are probably not what comes to your mind. If you want to unwind, you’ll have a nice, lengthy soak in the bathtub. Showers are for when you’re running late for work. Because of technological innovations, you can have a spa-like experience with a shower.
Get rid your old shower head and replace it with a model that fits your needs. If you’re prone to sore muscles and body aches, get a handheld one with a massage feature. If you prioritize cleanliness over everything, look for one with antimicrobial coatings. The coating prevents mold and bacteria from growing in the shower head’s interior.
If you want to upgrade your shower but you don’t have a big budget, consider getting a filter. Like filters for kitchen sinks, shower filters get rid of potentially harmful substances found in your water. You can choose your filter depending on the chemicals you want to remove. There are options that can remove chlorine while others can also deal with mercury.
On the other hand, if you want to splurge, you can get a luxurious shower like no other. You can buy a voice-activated shower that you can customize depending on the temperature, time, and pressure you want. The best thing about it is that you can install it yourself.
If your shower heads were bought before 1994, you should replace them anyway. Since then, the Department of Energy has issued a new standard on water usage. It means that if you replace your old model, you can instantly reduce your water consumption.
Smart home devices are typically more expensive than their traditional counterparts. The great thing is that you don’t have to spend more on labor costs. You can install a lot of home tech products yourself thanks to 3D manuals and helpful videos.