As the back-to-school season approaches, it’s not just backpacks and lunchboxes that need preparing—your home could use some TLC too! Whether you’re a parent getting ready for another busy school year or a homeowner looking to optimize your living space, our team at Black Diamond Experts is here to help. We’ve gathered some time saving, schedule promoting, cost saving tips to ensure your home can be set for this coming school year.

1. Automate your lighting to help stay on schedule.

Good lighting is crucial for creating a productive study environment. As the days get shorter, your kids will need ample light for homework and reading. Consider the following:

Use Smart Outlets or Smart Lights to Automate Your Schedule
- How would you like your lights to automatically turn on when it’s time to wake up or have certain lights turn off when the kids should be in bed? If you use an Amazon Alexa or Google Home Enabled device (your smartphone may already have this feature) you can set this up with the addition of either smart light bulbs, or connecting a lamp to a smart plug.

2. Choose Light Bulbs to Help Promote Positivity and Production

Light bulbs come in a range of color temperatures and can affect the mood of a room and in turn how we feel. Lighting is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). You’ll notice lights with warmer color temperatures have a range between 2000k – 3000K (cozy/warm lighting), 3,100K – 4,500K provides a cool white light, and 4,600K – 6,500K provides lighting closer to daylight.

5,000 K and above is similar to day light and often associated with contributing toward an attentive mood and often used in offices, warehouses, and security lighting.

3. Prepare Your HVAC System for Cooler Weather

We’re still in the midst of Summer heat, but it won’t be long before cooler nights return and we turn our heating systems on again. With the hustle and bustle of school starting it is easy to forget to plan routine maintenance. A well-maintained HVAC system ensures comfort during chilly mornings and evenings. Just a reminder to get your yearly furnace maintenance scheduled.

Schedule a Seasonal HVAC Tune-Up: Regular maintenance improves efficiency, extends the life of your heating and air system, and prevents unexpected breakdowns.
Change Air Filters: Clean air filters improve air quality and system efficiency. We recommend checking them monthly and replacing them as needed. If you hold your air filter up to a light source and can’t see light through it–it’s time to replace it.

4. Ensure Your Plumbing Is Ready for the Morning Rush

With the increased morning rush, your plumbing system will likely experience more demand. Now’s the perfect time to address any issues and prepare for the busy season.

Camera Inspection: Having your sewer main inspected every couple of years can help to avoid the messy disaster that often occurs when a homeowner learns the hard way that they have a sewer line problem. (The hard way being sewage backing up into the home.)
- Without a camera inspection, the telltale signs of a mainline problem include hearing glugs from your toilet or drains, smelling foul odors from your drains, having multiple slow drains, or seeing sewage come up from a low drain.
Inspect for Leaks: Check your outdoor fixtures, water heater, water softener, and any accessible plumbing for water drips. Ideally you’ll want to repair any leaks before freezing temperatures return which can cause water to expand and pipes to burst.
Consider Low-Flow Fixtures: These conserve water without compromising performance, perfect for busy households with multiple morning showers.
Is Your Water Heater Sufficient: If you feel the struggle of having to wait for the water to warm before it’s your turn to take a shower you may want to consider a larger water heater, or a tankless water heater. If it seems that your water is not heating enough, it may just need a tune-up. Our plumbers provide water heater maintenance to help ensure all components are working properly.

5. Make Sure Your Home is Protected from Power Surges

Electronics are an expensive part of our daily lives, and protecting them against power surges doesn’t have to be a hard task with a whole home surge protector.

Did you know whole home surge protectors are so important that they were recently added as part of the electrical code to new home builds? A reason for this is because a power surge could render important home protective devices like smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors inoperable, posing a serious danger to those inside the home. If you don’t already have a whole home surge protector, we would encourage you to call and get a free estimate on having one installed.

6. Are Your Outlets Up to Date With Today’s Tech?

As more of our devices are being powered by usb-a or usb-c adapters homeowners have been updating their outlets to accommodate usb-a / usb-c. This style of outlet is especially useful for students who do their work on usb-c powered chromebooks or tablets.

7. Create a Comfortable and Functional Study Space

A dedicated study space can significantly enhance your child’s focus and productivity. Make sure it’s comfortable, well-lit, and equipped with all the necessary supplies.

Organize the Space: Declutter and organize books, stationery, and electronic devices.
Ergonomic Furniture: Choose chairs and desks that support good posture, especially for long study sessions.
Quiet and Distraction-Free: Choose a spot away from high-traffic areas and noise.

Ready for a Hassle-Free School Year?

At Black Diamond Experts, we’re committed to helping you create a safe, comfortable, and efficient home. Whether you need electrical repairs, plumbing services, or HVAC maintenance, our experienced technicians are here to assist. Contact us today to schedule any maintenance, repairs, or home upgrades you may need to be back-to-school ready!

Make this school year the best one yet with a home that’s ready for anything!