Your Home's Fall Home Improvement Checklist
Posted by Rebecca Langley on Wed, Aug 25, 2010
With the cooler air starting to take over, now is a great time to do some preventative maintenance. A few small projects around the house now can prevent malfunctions that lead to larger problems arising during the winter months.
Here are a few items that should be on your home's Fall Home Improvement Checklist:
Clean your chimney
Hire a chimney sweep to clean and examine your chimney. Professionals can look at the chimney and analyze whether it is working properly. Regular cleanings and maintenance will keep your chimney in good working order and your home safe from fire mishaps.
Check your windows
One of the most likely culprits for energy loss is your windows and doors. Pay close attention to drafts, decay and/or peeling paint and operational functionality. Drafts and increased noise means that your windows are not insulating properly and may need to be replaced. Check for increasing hot and cold spots, and ice/frost buildup. Windows that are not insulating properly can allow moisture into the home. This moisture begins to rot the wood and may lead to water damage. Renewal by Andersen windows feature a green material called Fibrex, that resists cracking, peeling, warping and is energy efficient.
Be sure to check the caulking and weather stripping around the windows and doors. If there are spaces, fill them in with new materials so your windows and doors are well-sealed.
Insulate your pipes
Insulating your hot and cold water pipes can save a significant amount of money over time. With a little insulation, your pipes will take a shorter period of time to heat the water and make the water about 2-4 degrees warmer without having to turn up the water tank. You can buy pipe sleeves that fit snugly around the pipes or you can use fiberglass pipe wrap.
For gas heaters, be careful to stay at least 6 inches away from the flue. Be sure to secure the insulation every 2 feet with acrylic tape, clamps or cable ties. This will also protect your home’s pipes from freezing during the cold winter months.
Insulate your hot water heater
Depending on the age of the hot water storage tank, insulating it can save you up to 9% on your energy bill. If you are unsure of the energy efficiency of your storage tank, touch it. If the tank feels warm, it needs more insulation. Properly fitting an insulation blanket for a water heater is extremely complicated and will be safest if performed by a qualified plumber and/or HVAC specialist.
The most cost effective way to lower your hot water bill is to invest a solar hot water tank. This works in conjunction with your current hot water tank to save you up to 70% off you current energy bill.
Check your furnace filter
A dirty furnace filter can significantly alter your furnace’s performance, making it exert more energy to warm your home. Replacing this will allow the air to flow freely, optimizing your furnace’s energy efficiency.
Painting
Everyone has that one room that either needs to be repainted or is a shade of a color that you used to like. Fall is the perfect time to paint because the humidity is down, allowing the paint to dry more quickly and evenly. Plus, whether it is a just a coat of paint or an entirely new color scheme, nothing make a room seem fresher that new paint.
Inspect and Repair Leaks
As stated in last week’s blog, these areas are prone to damage, especially when exposed to the harsh winter weather. Repairing these little items now, can prevent larger and most expensive repairs in the future. Take a careful look at your home’s roof, siding, wood trim and chimney. Check the roof shingles, chimney, vent pipe and wood trim, under your gutters. Make any necessary repairs. Although these are larger items for your home, ignoring a problem here will only make it more expensive in the long run.
Talk to us.
What home improvement projects have you done or will you be doing this year?
For a free quote on your home’s repairs, including windows and doors, roofing, siding, Gutter Helmet, or a solar hot water system, call us at 800-975-6666.
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