Category: Home Improvement

Money-Saving Additions to Look for When Purchasing a New Home

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

When you are in the process of buying a home, you will have a list of amenities that you consider important or even essential. If you are wise about your home purchase, some of those amenities should focus on cutting down on the cost of owning a home. There are money-saving additions that you can look for when you are shopping for a home that will make your purchase that much more valuable and a few of them are listed right here…

 

Windmills

A single windmill on a property you are looking to buy can shave money off of your energy bill each and every month. A windmill can be set up to collect power in batteries and then access that power at a small but sustainable rate. It does not cost much for a property owner to install a windmill, and it can pay for itself over time. The only problem that can be seen with this is if you don’t have sufficient wind in your area to sustain yourself.

Solar Panels

You can always tell the more energy-conscious property owners by how they use solar panels around their homes. If you are looking at a property with the intention of purchasing it, and you see solar panels on the roof, then keep a lookout for solar panels on other parts of the property as well. Solar panels can be used to power landscape lighting, external security lighting, and even the swimming pool heater as well.

Water Wells

City properties are usually tied into the city water supply, which generates monthly bills for your water consumption. But when you find a property that has a water well or two onsite, then you can save money on those water bills and still have all of the water you need. A water well on your property is one of the many additions to a home that keeps on paying you back year after year. If your home doesn’t already have a well you can be sure to get ahold of a water well drilling company in Alberta, and you will soon be enjoying the benefits of owning your own.

Wood Burning Stove

If you have never experienced the warming power of a wood-burning stove, then you have no idea how much they can save on your energy bills. Some people put ducts on their wood-burning stoves and use the stoves to heat the upper floors of their homes as well. A wood-burning stove is a great way to enjoy a little rustic cooking and heat your home at a discount.

Buying a new home can be a long and exciting adventure but if you aren’t careful you can end up purchasing a home that will cost you an arm and a leg in utilities. As you look at the homes in your price range, you should also be looking for additions that the current owner has installed which will save you a lot of money in the future.

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Five Weekend Projects to Elevate Your Home’s Value

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

You want to raise your home’s value – that goes without saying. Should you ever decide to sell, you want to make enough from your existing home to purchase a new home without turning to a company or taking out mortgage loans. Luckily, there are several weekend projects you can take on to raise the value of your home very quickly.

1. Paint

It goes without saying – if your paint job is patchy, fix it. A good coat of paint will fix most problems and takes next to no time at all. A few hours on a Saturday, and you’re good to go. While it might cost a few bucks for the paint, it will raise the value of your home so much more when there aren’t unsightly spots on the walls.

2. Declutter

If you’re going to sell your home, present it in its optimal state – not like you just finished opening presents on Christmas morning. Spend a few hours putting up toys, tools, and dishes, and cleaning the home. Imagine you’re throwing a dinner party, and want to impress the guests with your cleanliness.

3. Spruce up the lawn.

Your landscape matters to the value of your home. If you’ve got overgrown plants, a lawn in desperate need of mowing, or just unsightly flowerbeds, take a few minutes to fix them. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, and pluck the weeds from the flowerbeds. Spending a few dollars on flowers and planting them can do wonders for an otherwise dull yard.

4. Brighten your lighting.

If you have light fixtures with broken bulbs, or light fixtures that are just unattractive, swap them out for something better. Those fluorescent LED lights that are so common in kitchens? Get rid of them, and replace it with a nice chandelier instead. According to mortgage loan experts in Sacramento and other cities, this small investment will go a long way with lighting and add value to your home.

5. Clean up the bathrooms.

Too many homes have bathrooms that look like they feed straight into the Black Lagoon. If you clean up the bathrooms, scrubbing off any mold and mildew that might be present, your potential buyers will thank you for it in the best possible way – by paying more for your home.

These five projects would only take a few hours to do, and it’s likely you could do them all in a single weekend. Even though they are small, these things are necessary for raising the value of your home, and will pay in dividends later down the road. Besides, it’s nice to have a clean, well-put-together home.

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5 Simple Tips for Bringing Your Energy Bill Down

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

In today’s technologically charged world, it’s easy to see your energy bills get out of hand. TVs, appliances of all sizes, charging your phones, iPods, and laptops can all play a huge part in making your energy bills very expensive. There are a few different ways that you can use all of your technology and keep your energy bills down, though. It may take a bit of effort, but lowering your energy bill is definitely within your reach. You are going to need to take the necessary steps, though.

Energy Audits

There are a couple of different ways that you can perform your energy audits. If you want to, you could perform the audit yourself, or you can call a professional to come to perform the audit for you. While it’s more efficient to have a pro perform the audit, it’s something that anyone can learn. You’re looking for anyways that your home isn’t being efficient, and you search for a way to fix it. Search for any air leaks and seal them if they’re found. Taking care of these leaks can save you anywhere from 5%-30% on your energy bill. You’re also going to want to check your insulation and make sure that your home isn’t losing any heat. Check your heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and appliances, and make sure that you’re not wasting energy anywhere. If you find a place where you’re wasting energy, fix it, and you’ll start saving money. Take care of your home maintenance and energy audits, and you’ll notice a huge difference in your power bills.

Dimmer Switches

This one is pretty simple. You install a dimmer switch in all the rooms throughout the house, and you won’t have light bulbs that are using all their energy whenever they’re turned on. Instead, get the lighting that you need, use less energy, and you can even have some fun with them. You can use them to create mood lighting for parties or a romantic dinner. Dimmer switches can work wonders for your monthly energy bill.

Install Ceiling Fans

Air conditioning is expensive. Not only is it expensive, but it’s not very energy efficient, either. If you want to temperature in your home better controlled and less expensive, try installing ceiling fans. Your home will stay cool and you won’t be spending nearly as much on your energy bill. If you already have ceiling fans installed, turn off your air conditioning and start using your ceiling fans.

Air Dry Laundry

This is a different, old-school way of doing your laundry. Instead of using a typical dryer to finish off your laundry, try hanging it from a rope. It might take a bit longer, but you’re going to be saving a ton of money. Dryers use up a lot of energy, are expensive to buy, and are going to cause your power bills to go up in price. As you air dry your laundry, it gives you an excuse to get outside and avoid those pesky and expensive energy bills.

Unplug

Almost 75% of the energy on your home’s energy bills comes from home electronics, most of which aren’t being used. Think about all the time that your TVs, DVD players, computers, laptops, stereos, cell phones, and appliances spend not being used. As you can imagine, they are not in use quite a bit more than they are in use, which means that you’re paying for something that you’re not actually using. Even if you turn these electronics off, they are designed to go into “standby power,” which is allowing the device to still consume energy, but not as much as when it’s powered on. The best thing to do would be to either unplug the electronics altogether or to plug them into a power strip and turn the power strip off when you’re not using it.

With so many electronics taking over your life, getting carried away with the energy can be very easy. Unfortunately, there are consequences to letting yourself get carried away. If you take the necessary steps toward making your energy bill less expensive, you’ll find that minimizing your bill really isn’t that difficult. Follow these tips, and you’ll see a huge difference between your next energy bill and your last one.

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Keep Your Furnace In Excellent Working Condition This Winter

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

A lot can transpire during the delightful warmer periods that can affect your furnace. The last thing you need during the coldest months of the year is problems with heat. The furnace needs to be operational and it needs to function in the most energy-efficient manner.

While there’s no better way to inspect your furnace than with a professional service, here are a few things a technician may advise you do yourself to keep that furnace in excellent working condition during the winter.

Change Your Filters

Change your filters at least four times a year. Take a look at least once a month to see if they need changing. If it looks in good condition, you can leave it be. But the filter’s appearance should give you an idea if it needs replacement. Clogged and dirty filters prevent a clean performance. You should have an inventory of filters at all times. You can get good prices on furnace filters during the warmer months.

Bleed the valves

If the home is equipped with hot water radiators, you need to bleed the valves on each. Open the valves on the radiators slightly. When water starts to appear, close them back up.

Keep the area clear

If your furnace needed servicing and you have to rearrange things to get to it, then you have too many items near it. Try to keep the area around the furnace clear, especially of items that have the potential to catch fire. Do not block air ducts and return vents.

Warmer months mean better prices

Take advantage of the warmer months and better prices. Have the gas company come fill up your furnace in the summer, rather than just before winter when both demand and prices are going to go up.

Detectors

The installation of radon and carbon monoxide detectors is invaluable to the environment. They help ensure everyone’s safety and should be positioned in areas of the home recommended by your furnace professional, as well as in the vicinity of the furnace itself.

Unplug the furnace

If your unit is electrical, make sure you unplug the furnace before you perform any sort of maintenance on it.

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Best Ways to Protect Your Home Against Flooding

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

When a big rainstorm hits your area, there is always the possibility of flooding. Flooding can cause extreme damage to your home that is very expensive to fix. Most home insurance policies also do not cover flood damage, and you have to buy a separate policy. That is why you have to do what it takes to protect your home against flooding. Here are some important steps in making your home floodproof.

Fix Leaks Soon

Do you have any leaks in your house? If the answer is yes, you need to cover them up immediately. If there are leaks on your roof or foundation, water can easily get inside your home and wreak havoc. Do a thorough check around the edge of the roof and gutters to check for any cracks, missing shingles or holes. Another thing you can do is add extra protection for your roof. It is definitely worth spending the extra money to protect your house from flooding. If you install a rubber roof underlayment, water is a lot less likely to get in your house.

Move Your Valuable Items to a Safe Location

It is very important to move your most valuable items to a safe location in your house that is less likely to get flooded. For example, you can move your jewelry, artwork, and photographs up in the attic. If you do this, your most valuable items will not get damaged in the event of a flood.

Close Up Cracks in Your Foundation

If there are cracks in your foundation, you have to close them up soon. You can close them up pretty nicely with masonry caulk, or hydraulic cement. If you take the time to close up cracks in your foundation, you are less likely to experience flooding problems in the basement and around the wood in the base of your home.

Clean Out Your Gutters

When was the last time you cleaned out your gutters? If it has been a while, it is time to get them cleaned. It will not take much time and will be worth the effort. The gutters are a very important part of the home’s drainage system and can reduce the chance of flooding when clear of debris.

If you follow these tips, you will be able to protect your home and possessions against flooding. If you do experience some damage after a flood, you need to call your insurance company right away. If you have a flood policy, you may get compensated for the damaged items. Be sure to take photos of the damage and make a list of the damaged or lost items. If your basement cement is water damaged you may want to call a service master cleaning professional to get residual dampness out and seal against rot.

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