As we round the bend into winter, wise homeowners in Richmond, VA are looking to repair or re-side their home. It’s important to fortify a home for the cold winter months in order to keep utility bills down, and enjoy the greatest comfort indoors.
Home improvement doesn’t need to be addressed only in the spring. Richmond, VA homeowners who take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their home in preparation for winter often end up saving money on materials, encounter a shorter waiting period to obtain the professional help they need, and reduce utility costs all winter long due to their recent home improvements.
Here are some home improvement projects that will help you prepare for winter:
- Siding replacement – When it comes to siding, fiber cement siding offers fabulous features ideal for today’s homeowners. James Hardie® siding is simply the best quality siding on the market. With its climate technology, it withstands harsh winters and blistering summers. It won’t swell or contract with changes in the weather. It withstands extreme temperatures, rain, hail, snow, and storms so you can enjoy its beauty and protection for years to come.
- Window replacement – Prepare for winter and save monthly on utility bills with quality window replacements. The primary place heat leaks out of your home is through the windows. Replacing your current windows will instantly save you money on your energy bills. When you choose windows with high R values, low visible transmittance, and low emittance, your savings will run even deeper. Fiberglass frames are a wise choice, and they decrease energy bills up to 40% more than other types of frames.
- Exterior door replacement – Fortify your home with a new front door before winter strikes. A new door makes your home look more polished and up to date. Make a statement with a well-designed front door accented with the perfect paint color for your visual appeal. Inspire all those who enter your home by choosing the perfect style door for your home. Complement your home with the best material option to accomplish your classy look. If you aren’t ready to replace your door, refurbish it by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Replace the doorknob for a refreshing change.
- Sealing and caulking – Caulking and sealing your home where needed is an additional winter home improvement that can save you money and increase your comfort level when temperatures drop. Drafty doors can be sealed with weather stripping. Openings around pipes and vents can be fortified as well so heat doesn’t escape. It pays to seal any gaps with caulking or weather stripping.
Other winter preparations for your home include:
- Change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters increase energy use and decrease airflow. HEPA filters remove at least 99.9% of airborne particles.
- Run your ceiling fans in reverse – Ceiling fans cool us in the summer, and can help make it warmer in our home in the winter if we simply turn the switch that reverses the direction in which the blades turn. When blades turn clockwise, it helps warm the house by pulling air from the ceiling area and sending it back into the living space.
- Turn down your water heater – Lowering your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees or below reduces water heating costs by up to 10%. If you are ready for a change, consider a tankless water heater, or even a solar heater. Take advantage of a Federal Tax Credit if you invest in a new water heater.
- Get your heating system tuned-up – Just as your car needs a tune-up to keep it running smoothly and prevent problems, your heating system needs maintenance annually to prepare it for the hard work of winter.
- Winterize your water lines – Turn off exterior water and make sure hoses are drained and put away for the winter.
- Plan ahead – Once winter comes, schedule your spring home maintenance check-ups in order to keep your home in ideal shape year round.
If you prefer not to do home improvement projects yourself, schedule a consultation with the experienced professionals at Dependable Home Services. Give us a call at (804) 334-6839, and let’s explore how we can help you prepare your home for winter.