Get A Little Fresh Air!

Sure, we all remember our parents telling us to get outside and get some fresh air every now and again, but maybe they were onto something! Opening your windows to let a little air in has a lot of health benefits, not to mention helping regulate temperature to keep your energy costs down! Energy Costs

By opening the windows every now and again to let some outside air in, you can help regulate the temperature in your home to prevent overuse of the air conditioner. Keeping your windows open even for an hour or so at night when the temperature drops can do a lot to better circulate the air in your home and reduce the need to keep the air conditioner running all night. Better yet, if your home has been equipped with energy efficient vinyl windows, once it times come to close the windows back up and turn the air on your windows will keep the cool air inside your home where it belongs!

Health Benefits

Letting some outside air in will both keep your house comfortable and offer some health benefits, too! Indoor air pollution is a big issue, even if it’s something as simple as dust and pollen, and opening your window for a nice breeze will help circulate the air in your house and clear out some of the allergens and pollutants in your home. Of course, you’ll want to be careful - keeping the windows open too long will let pollen right back into your house, so depending on what you’re most allergic to you might not want the windows open too long!

A Nice View

This advantage isn’t maybe as tangible as the others, but opening your windows can really change the look and feel of a room. Getting some fresh air and sunshine can be just the thing to liven up a living room, or to help a room feel ‘bigger’ even without doing any major remodeling or redecorating. The next time you feel like you’re starting to get ‘cabin fever’, crack a window open and let some air in - you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes!

A Fall Home Preparation Checklist

Fall is coming, and with it comes the same mixed feelings regarding school starting, summer ending, and the start of beautiful scenery and brisk fall weather. But before you can get out your overcoats and flavored hot chocolate, there’s a few things around the house you’ll want to take care of to make sure your home is prepared for the colder seasons! Get Your Mind IN The Gutter

Considering average summer rainfall in America, your gutter and drainage system probably went through a lot over the last few months. Make sure to get your gutter cleaned out before the leaves start falling and make a bigger mess - and this way you’ll have less to clean out when the snow melts next spring!

Button Up and Stay Warm!

This applies to both you and your house. While it may not have been as much of a problem over the summer, during fall you’ll want to make sure your home is properly sealed and insulated to keep the heat in and the cold out. Weather stripping and caulk can eventually degrade and cause gaps, exposing your home to the elements and running up your heating bill. Another way to prevent heat loss is by installing energy efficient replacement windows, such as specially designed vinyl windows treated to keep sunlight and warm air inside your home where it belongs.

Tidy Up Your Furnace

It’s probably been a minute since you’ve used your furnace, right? Before you fire it back up, get your furnace cleaned out. Sediment can build up in the bottom and cause a potential fire hazard, and if your furnace is still powered by water you’ll want to drain and clean the tanks before you subject it to a lot of use. This will keep your family safe and your home well-heated - and isn’t that what you need this time of year?

There’s plenty of other things you can do to get ready - new lightbulbs, cleaning air ducts, etc - but we think these should be your first steps in making sure your home is prepared for the colder months! Stay warm out there, everyone - fall is just around the corner!

Unexpected Ways to Conserve Energy

We all know energy conservation can benefit your home, your family, and the environment, and most people take small steps to save energy every day. But there’s a few less common methods to conserve energy and lower your energy bills that most people might not think of! Let’s go off the beaten path a bit and look into some more unexpected ways to conserve energy around your home! Check Out Your Ducts and Heater

Sure, everyone knows that keeping a close eye on your thermometer is a good way to help manage energy bills, but not as many people know that performing regular maintenance on your heating system can do just as much to keep heating costs down! Even basic maintenance like lubricating joints, tightening connections, and cleaning the coils in your heater can help the system work more efficiently and reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat your home. It might not be the cleanest work, but your wallet will thank you when it’s done!

Upgrade Your Appliances Regularly

This one might be a little more expensive up-front but the long-term savings and advantages will more than make it worth it. The simple fact is that older appliances are less energy efficient than newer models, especially models with the government’s EnergyStar certification. Even smaller appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can be upgraded to reduce water, heat, and energy usage for your house, all while providing you with a more usable and functional appliance to help out around the house!

Know What Your Windows Are Made From (And Decorated With)

Windows are a big source of heat loss and cold gain during the year, but not in ways you might think! The material of the window itself - as well as the material of the window frame - can affect how much heat your home retains. Vinyl replacement windows in multiple panes filled with argon gas are one of the most effective ways to keep heat in your home, and even making sure the frame of the window is the correct material and is correctly installed will do much to help keep heat in. Window dressings help too - while awnings might provide shade, they don’t do much to keep your home heated or cooled. Thick curtains, however, actually have been shown to keep your home insulated from leaking either hot or cold air and running up your energy bill!

Hopefully these lesser-known tips help you keep your home just the temperature you want it, without running up your bills! Good luck, and stay warm - or cold - out there!

Tips for a Backyard Makeover

The backyard is sometimes forgotten about because the front yard typically offers more curb appeal. However, an attractive and creative backyard does add value to your home, as well as providing benefits for your family and any visitors you may have. Here are four easy and inexpensive ways to spruce up your backyard! Create Defined Spaces

Consider separating areas in the backyard by their accessories or function. For example, you could establish a kid-friendly play area with play set or tree swing. The designated eating or cooking area can be on the deck. A small arbor, pergola, or even gazebo will create a space for quiet reflection. Sheds can be converted to a play area or even study room with some art and wallboards as decorations. A trellis is an excellent way to create a focal point or entrance into another area. The relaxing area can be kept small, simple and surrounded with colored plants and even a birdbath or fountain.

A Path to Success

Paved pathways offer endless creative patterns and styles with different colors and shapes. These versatile stepping stones come in low-cost concrete form or more expensive cobblestone or limestone, both providing durability and requiring minimal maintenance. You don’t just have to used paved concrete, either. A backyard path can be created through using colored rocks with bender boards and rented plate compactor. Strategically placed pavers offer a simple, but aesthetically pleasing solution and can help to define the different backyard spaces.

Landscaping

Adding fresh mulch on the flower beds with a few selectively placed colorful plants is all you have to do to give the landscape a new look. Of course, if your budget allows, consider adding a few trees. They will provide shade and may increase energy savings or the property value. They can also help reduce water stagnation. Standing water and grade problems can also be resolved through retaining terracing and reshaping select terrain areas. A few outdoor lights are all you need to add a sense of security and relaxation. The patio’s bland concrete can be painted with colorful masonry stain or concrete paint.

Exterior Improvements

Sometimes the home’s exterior can drastically improve the backyard atmosphere. Consider pressure washing the siding or repainting the walls if needed. Replacement windows can also add a touch of elegance and freshness. For example, vinyl windows are an excellent investment that will add value to the home while saving money in the long-run.

The backyard doesn’t have to be boring, and can be improved through simple improvements like creating designated spaces, adding pavers, proper landscaping and renovating your home’s exterior.

Renovate, Don’t Relocate

When the space inside of your home no longer accommodates your family, you may find yourself faced with the difficult task of deciding whether to relocate or renovate. If your home is in a location that you love, renovating may be your preferred option. When you begin pondering what type of renovation projects to pursue, keep in mind that even though you don't want to move right now, there may come a time when you do decide to move. The renovations you do now can impact the value of your home and affect a potential buyer's opinion of your home, so here’s a list of suggestions for home renovations that should keep your family and any potential buyers happy! Adding Square Footage

Statistics indicate that adding square footage to a home can significantly increase the value of a home. If you've outgrown your home, adding a bedroom could make your home more accommodating for your family. If your laundry area is in the basement, adding a laundry room on the first or second level will make your home much more appealing to potential buyers in the future. Adding extra smaller guest bathrooms will both increase your home’s value and provide comfort and convenience for any visitors (or maybe you, if you don’t feel like going upstairs!) and are a good way to expand your home.

Invite Light Inside

As part of your home renovation project, removing old, unattractive and drafty windows and having energy efficient windows installed is a sure way to increase the value of your home. This would be a good time to add more windows to rooms that are dark and dull. You could also replace small windows with larger windows that will allow more light into the room and give you a better view of the outdoors. Whenever possible, choose window treatments that do not interfere with the flow of natural light.

The View Matters

Sure, working on the inside of your home can be great for buyers and visitors, but if you want to increase your curb appeal and home’s value you’ll want the view outside of the home to be appealing too! Privacy fencing can block an unattractive view in case of something unsightly in the neighborhood. Vertical gardens added to the fence or around the edge of the property can liven up your view without a ton of landscaping or renovation. Creating a butterfly garden or a bird feeding station that you can see from the windows will provide you with some beautiful, lively entertainment. Water features, outdoor fireplaces and outdoor structures, such as a gazebo, can be included in your landscape to provide you with an attractive view from the window.

Hopefully these tips will keep your home beautiful and livable without having to pack up and move - and who knows, maybe when the time comes to move your work will help find a buyer that much more easily!