Originating in Sweden, living lagom is a lifestyle philosophy which emphasizes a sense of balance and moderation. The term lagom is defined as the principle of living a balanced, moderately-paced, low-fuss life. Living within your means, reducing waste, and prioritizing sustainability are just a few examples of a lagom lifestyle, yielding a greater sense of happiness and reducing stress and anxiety. Interested in lagom-living but not sure where to start? Read on to learn how you can use this Scandinavian principle to lead a more balanced life.

Next, discover how to create a healthy home environment, and learn why biophilic design is worth incorporating into your home.

Texas’ temperatures are increasing and those who live in the state know all too well what that means. Low rainfall and heat are a recipe for drought, and with the peak of summer approaching, it’s time to get prepared. No one wants to see the flowers and plants in their front or back lawns not surviving the season. Hear how Valerie Depew, member of the Ask a Master Gardener Committee at Texas A&M, recommends setting your home landscape up for success.

• If you have an irrigation system in place, audit it yearly to ensure it’s working properly. Clear clogs and adjust the settings as the year goes on. Plants require less water in cooler months and more in warmer weather, so there should be a difference in your settings each season.
• Fun fact: “Between 25% – 60% of the water homeowners try to apply to their lawns actually meets the target,” says Depew. To increase this percentage, ensure your lawn is watered in the morning to reduce loss to evaporation and the chances of moisture latching onto grass at night. Also, avoid watering when there’s high winds — this can blow sprinklers off which is a big water waster, in addition to runoff.
• “Water less frequently, but more deeply,” says Depew. A watering method known as Cycle and Soak will water your lawn for a longer duration so that the roots receive moisture. “More frequent, shorter watering leads to shallow roots and unhealthy turf.”
• Cut your grass taller. “Shorter blades don’t have enough surface to retain water and they’ll suffer more from the drought and heat,” says Depew. “The optimum height for mowing with water conservation in mind is 3 inches.”

There are many ways to reduce our use of water and drought-proof our landscapes. Using these methods will result in thousands of gallons saved and better plant choices for our home landscapes.

Helpful Resources:

Get Inspired

Ready to design your home’s landscape? Take inspiration from some of Empire’s model homes in Houston, Austin and San Antonio.

Next, get our beginners guide for gardening in Texas and learn why biophilic design is good for your health and home.

As the place where we spend most of our time, it’s no surprise that how we live at home directly impacts our overall health. Empire’s Vice President of Sustainability & Innovation, Andrew Guido, shares his advice on how you can create a healthy home environment to ensure the quality of your living space is top notch.

Looking for some more helpful tips? Check out our advice for all things cleaning and why biophilic design is worth incorporating into your home.

Image courtesy of: Amazon (LEVOIT Air Purifier).

Years ago, you might have started a family and decided to move into a big home. But once your kids moved out, you took a look around and thought to yourself, “do I really need all this space?” Don’t fret, you’re not alone.

Downsizing has become more popular than ever as homeowners have realized that living larger doesn’t necessarily mean living better. Once you find the perfect home to downsize to, whether it’s a condo, a townhome, or just a smaller space than what you’re living in now, the real work begins. Downsizing can be overwhelming, so we’ve rounded up 6 fool-proof tips that’ll prepare you for moving day and help you downsize like a pro.

For some helpful insight on moving, check out our ultimate moving guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of your big day.

Need some home design inspo to spruce up your new place? Learn how to design the timeless and contemporary home of your dreams and how to create big design moments in small spaces.

There’s no doubt that the kitchen is the heart of the home. If you’re like us and spend a large chunk of your day cooking, it’s essential that your space be well thought-out and that your items be kept easily accessible. A well-organized refrigerator is just one aspect that can make dinner prep easier, save you time looking for ingredients and help reduce food waste all at the same time. If you’re unsure where to start, follow these six tips to help you organize your refrigerator and keep items neatly stowed away.

Looking to try some new recipes? Try mastering chef sous chef’s Sunday Best Lasagna, or if you’re looking for something quicker, why not try the 20-Minute Carbonara recipe? Give it a go and share the final product with us on Instagram and Facebook by using #EmpireRecipeChallenge.

Images courtesy of HGTV (hero); HGTV (clean); HGTV (shelves); Natashas Kitchen (fridge doors); Good House Keeping (containers)’ Food 52 (adjust accordingly).

Establishing and maintaining moisture levels in your home can seem like a daunting task. It is important to remember that moisture damage caused by improper or inadequate use of your ventilation system, is not covered by the new home warranty. Because of this, it is crucial that homeowners understand what they need to do to maintain moisture levels, especially during those cold, dry winters months where we tend to blast the heat, and those humid summers days where we crank up the AC. With the help of Tarion, we’re tackling some of your most-asked moisture questions.

What Causes Damage?

Moisture damage comes from water that enters the home and remains there, either unnoticed or unattended to. This can be weather related water, water from leaking pipes or fixtures, or humidity in the air. This damage can have serious consequences, potentially developing mold or causing your fixtures to crack, warp, rot or peel. This damage may not always be immediately visible, so proper maintenance is important from the beginning.

What Can I Do?

Always use the ventilation systems in your home to control moisture. Bathroom fans, kitchen range hoods and packaged ventilators such as heat-recovery ventilators are specifically installed in your home to help you control moisture. Your home ventilation system is designed to be used when humidity is high, like when you’re cooking, running a shower or doing laundry, and will blast away excess airborne moisture. This is particularly important during the first winter, as your new home needs to ‘settle’.

Excess humidity inside your home is easy to spot during the winter, as it takes the form of condensation. When condensation on windows and doors occur, increase ventilation in your home by: using your stove and bathroom fan, turning up your ERV, purchasing a dehumidifier, turning furnace fan “on” not “auto”, opening all drapes and blinds to allow air flow (do not keep blinds or heavy drapes closed). If you want further piece of mind, a hygrometer can be purchased at any local hardware store (approximately 40% is an optimal amount of moisture).

Need more? Follow these extra tips from Tarion to help prevent moisture damage to your home.

Outside the Home

• Keep flowerbeds or landscaping at least six inches or 150 mm away from the top of the foundation to avoid moisture coming into direct contact with the structure of your home.
• Ensure that land adjacent to the foundation slopes away from the home so that rainwater and snow melt will run away from the foundation.
• Clear eavestroughs regularly and extend downspouts so that water is directed away from your home.
• Fix the caulking around windows and doors and on the roof if it becomes cracked or separated.
• Have your roof inspected regularly to ensure shingles, flashing and chimney caps are in place and sealed properly.

Inside the Home

• In the winter, keep the relative humidity in your home in the range of 30-45%. When using a humidifier, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• In the summer, dehumidify the basement to avoid condensation buildup on the cool foundation walls. Relative humidity levels should not exceed 60%.
• Repair leaky pipes and fixtures immediately. Clean and completely dry any areas that are dampened or wet within 48 hours.
  Store organic materials such as newspapers and clothes away from cool, damp areas. Keep storage areas tidy so that air circulates freely.
• If you are adding a hot tub to your home, or have a large collection of plants, consider the amount of moisture they will add to your indoor air and ventilate accordingly.
• Investigate and identify any musty smells and odours. They are often an indicator that there is a hidden moisture problem.

For answers to some of our other most frequently asked questions, click here.

Eating better, losing weight, and saving money are among the most common New Year’s resolutions — chances are, home maintenance doesn’t crack the list of priorities. But as any homeowner knows, maintaining a home is a full-time job. The good news is that there are small changes you can make to keep your home running as efficiently as possible, reduce your workload, and even save a few dollars in the process.

Read on to discover five easy resolutions you can adopt to stay on top of your home maintenance this year.

Looking for more ideas to improve your space? Discover our tips for refreshing your home’s decor or learn the art of layering to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

As one of your most important investments, your home deserves the right care to keep it running smoothly year-round. Winter can be tough, but with the proper preparation for snow, sleet, and ice, you can protect your landscaping and home’s mechanical systems. Download our Winter Maintenance Checklist and never miss a step again.

Inspect Your Home for Leaks and Cracks

Even with a new-build home, one of the most important steps in winterizing your home is to inspect both your interior and exterior for any leaks or cracks; this will ensure that heat stays in the house and prevent your heating bills from rising dramatically. Be sure to check window sills, window latches and locks, and the concrete foundation in your basement, then seal any gaps using the appropriate method (usually caulking for gaps less than a quarter inch wide).

Check and Change Your Furnace Filter

Your furnace is what heats your home, so there’s nothing more important than ensuring that it’s ready to run through the cold winter months. Check and replace your furnace filter to ensure it’s performing optimally and that airflow isn’t restricted. During the winter, check that snow hasn’t accumulated in the air intake and exhaust vents of your furnace after a heavy snowfall. Depending on the type of filter you have, it should be changed every 2 to 3 months (the longer you go without replacing it, the more dust will build up in your home). You can also choose to have your furnace professionally inspected and cleaned annually; standard tune-up fees generally start from $100 to $150 per unit.

Don’t forget: To clean your ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation). To learn how, watch our How To Clean Your ERV video.

Drain and Protect Your Pipes

To prevent your water pipes from freezing and bursting, it’s important to drain and protect them before nightly temperatures drop below zero. Drain all pipes leading to outdoor water faucets, garden hoses, air conditioners (if your unit has a shut-off valve, be sure to close it), and your irrigation system. Irrigation systems will also need to be blown out with air so that water doesn’t accumulate and crack the pipes (use an air compressor to force the water out of the pipes). For pipes that pass through unheated locations — such as your garage, attic, or unfinished basement — use foam insulation or pipe wrap to protect them.

Don’t forget:Ensure that water is carried away from the foundation of your home by pointing your gutter spouts away from the direction of your house. Water seeping into the concrete is one of the most damaging effects of not properly winterizing your home.

Clean Your Eavestroughs

It’s recommended that you clean your eavestroughs twice a year — once in the spring, and again in early winter once all the leaves have fallen. Maintaining your eavestroughs will help prevent ice blockages that could cause snow and water to drain towards the foundation of your home. You can also consider professional removal of buildup of ice and icicles on your roof and eavestroughs, which can help reduce the likelihood of water leaks.

Monitor and Adjust Your Home’s Humidity Levels

New homes are built with better sealing and insulation, which increases the humidity in your home. If not controlled, this could lead to mold. Maintaining a humidity level of 30-45% during the winter months will help prevent this. Read more about moisture levels in your home.

Do a General Clean Up

A thorough home cleaning shouldn’t only be done in the spring. Get rid of any excess, such as the accumulation of old newspapers and leftover hazardous chemicals. Store flammable materials and poisons in approved, clearly labeled containers, and keep a clear space around heaters, furnaces, and other heat-producing appliances.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months (at a minimum) to ensure they’re in proper working order.

Check Any Exterior Electrical

Check exterior electrical GFCI outlets and reset them to ensure they’re working, before installing or turning on your holiday lights.

Maintain Home Appliances

Many homeowners don’t consider winterizing landscaping or exterior-use appliances, but doing so will help preserve their longevity. Winterize summer landscape tools, like lawn mowers and weed-eaters, by emptying gas or adding fuel stabilizers and storing them in a dry place. For winter machines, such as a snowblower, prep them for use by adding fuel stabilizers.

Wrap Trees and Shrubs

Certain trees and shrubs need to be wrapped with burlap during the winter months to help prevent damage from desiccating winds, snow, and rodents that gnaw on the tree bark as a source of food. Be sure to check with a professional to see which of your trees and shrubs need to be wrapped.

Still have questions? Check out our other home maintenance tips for more helpful insights.

Images courtesy of Hydro Quebec (caulking); Brothers Gutters (eavestrough).

Your new home will require some seasonal maintenance to ensure it continues to run smoothly. Here are a few tips from the experts on our Customer Care team that will help lower your utility bills and protect your biggest investment. Download our Spring Maintenance Checklist and never miss a step again.

Post-Winter Checkup

• Check roof for loose or cracked shingles
• Check driveways and walks
• Check water heater for leaks

Pre-Summer Preparation

• Clean furnace filter and heat recovery ventilator (HRV)
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors (monthly)
• Plan landscaping to avoid soil settlement and water ponding
• Fertilize your lawn.

Still have questions? View our other home maintenance tips.

As the seasons change, it’s important to give your new home a seasonal checkup to ensure it continues to run smoothly. Here are a few tips from the experts on our Customer Care team that will help lower your utility bills, and protect your biggest investment. Download our Fall Maintenance Checklist, and never miss a step again.

Cover All Bases

• Check garage door tracks, and lubricate bearings – Lubricate all hinges, rollers, and the lock mechanism on the door: Spray lubricant into the keyhole and work the key several times to distribute it evenly. Proper maintenance of garage doors includes inspecting all hardware and moving parts, such as garage-door springs, cables, rollers, and other door hardware. Look for signs of wear or broken parts. If you find any signs of damage, be sure to contact a service professional to make repairs before the door is used again.
• Check caulking for air and water leaks.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors (monthly) – Just like any electrical appliance, smoke alarm components wear out over time. When a smoke alarm reaches 10 years of use, the potential for failing to detect a fire increases substantially. Replacing them after 10 years reduces the likelihood of failure. Every smoke alarm comes with a test button, and it is recommended to test alarms regularly, at least once a month.
• Check roof, including shingles, vents, and eaves.
• Check weather-stripping on windows and doors – Windows can account for up to 25% of total house heat loss. Air leakage can be reduced by applying a continuous bead of caulking around window trim and between the trim and the frame. Weather-stripping is used to prevent air leakage at parts of an operable window that move. In most cases, it is a simple task to replace worn weather-stripping around doors and windows, which will help save on heating costs.

Winterproofing

• Winterize lawn, and remove leaves. (Learn more here)
• Clean and replace furnace filter – Regular maintenance of your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is critical to ensure its longevity and efficient operation. Proper maintenance of this system can help save money. The air filter keeps pollution and debris out of your HVAC system, ensuring proper and efficient operation. A dirty filter will slow down airflow, making both the furnace work harder to heat your home and the AC work harder to cool it. This wastes energy and can result in higher energy bills. Depending on the type of filter you are using, it should be changed every 1–3 months.

Still have questions? View our other home maintenance tips.