When you live in an older home, it’s very much like stepping into a time capsule. Our home was built in 1984, and it hadn’t been updated much since then when we bought it. From carpet under the oven to a washer/dryer combo in the guest bathroom, it was a wild adjustment.
Your first impulse is to modernize. Usually, this refers to cosmetic upgrades like new flooring, cabinetry and a fresh coat of paint. Oh, and removing the washer/dryer combo from the bath.
While this will give your home a much-needed facelift, there are smarter upgrades that can save you money on energy bills and significantly improve your home’s safety. Here are some changes we made in our home, and a few products I recommend to help you with them.
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Let’s start with one of your home’s most vulnerable spots: Its entry point.
The critical role of exterior doors in home security
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When it comes to making an older home safer, the exterior door is your first and most important line of defense. Over time, hollow wood doors can develop rot or structural weakness, making them vulnerable. Upgrading to reinforced options, such as steel doors, improves your safety by providing a strong barrier that deters potential intruders.
Not only will this offer protection, but it also gives you peace of mind — and an immediate boost to your home’s curb appeal. In fact, this is one of the few home improvement projects where you’ll earn a 100% return on investment, per Realtor.com.
To determine your door size, you’ll want to measure the height, width and thickness of the door, not the frame. For width, take measurements at the top, middle and bottom to account for warping. Once you have these measurements, here’s a smart option to consider:
Upgrade your access: Why every older home needs a smart lock
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I highly recommend a smart lock. They eliminate the need for physical keys, offer remote monitoring and alerts and many have tamper alarms.
A smart lock operates with a keypad, reading your fingerprints or an input code to lock or unlock the door. Best of all, they have free phone apps, so you can lock and unlock your door (or check if it’s locked) whether you’re in your driveway or hundreds of miles away.
I also recommend them because you can assign temporary codes. This is perfect for babysitters or pet sitters, house guests, cleaners or anyone else who has regular access to your home. Just be sure to follow steps to protect your home from keyless break-ins.
When looking for a smart lock, find one with a battery backup. The reason is that if a power outage happens, you’ll still be able to access your lock. Here’s one I like because it automatically locks your door after 180 seconds, includes a battery backup with six months of battery life and is voice-assistant compatible:
Once you have another layer of security outside your home, it’s important to check for any hidden dangers inside.
This device detects hidden dangers in your walls
Older homes don’t always have updated wiring, and new technology plugged into older circuits could max out your circuit panel. In turn, the breaker will trip, causing power outages and overheated wiring.
Ensuring your electrical system is running well protects your home from potential house fires. This is where the Ting sensor comes in. It is a smart plug you install into a wall plug in your home.
From there, you download the free Ting app. The smart plug monitors for any signs of trouble, such as faulty wiring, malfunctioning devices and more. It can also detect equipment and electrical issues on your utility’s end.
Along with monitoring your electricity, here are some other devices you should consider to keep your home safe.
The sensors every older home needs
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The first thing I installed when we bought our home was CO2 monitors. Older homes often rely on aging, battery-only smoke detectors. And because they’re out of sight, sometimes it’s easy to forget to conduct tests or replace them. As a rule of thumb, most units last 10 years.
Upgrading to smart detectors is one of the smartest ways to secure your home. Unlike traditional units that emit a beep, smart CO2 detectors send notifications to your phone through the manufacturer’s free app. This gives you critical extra time to act and can alert you to dangers even if you’re not home.
I also recommend a water sensor. Water sensors plug into the wall and can detect leaks and moisture, sending you real-time alerts. This is pivotal if you live in a home with older piping or an aging water heater, as it gives you time to shut off the main water valve before more damage occurs.
Now it’s time to tackle your home’s energy usage.
Automate your energy savings
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Electricity prices continue to climb. This, coupled with increased demand during the summer months, will result in higher energy bills. The main culprit behind your energy bills is your air conditioner.
One way to reduce stress on your AC is with a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat allows you to program temperatures whether you’re on your couch or hundreds of miles away. By setting the thermostat 8 to 10 degrees warmer when you’re away during the day or on vacation, you can save up to 10% on your energy bills.
This smart thermostat is Energy Star certified, saving you up to 26% on your heating and cooling costs annually:
Ultimately, making your home more contemporary doesn’t mean you have to tear down walls and rebuild. By focusing on these smart upgrades, you’re securing access points, monitoring your home’s electricity and optimizing its energy usage. In turn, you can transform your time capsule into a safer, more efficient home that’s working smarter, not harder.