Guest Post - 5 Home Upgrades to Save Money on Your Heating Bill

Updating your home is an achievable and straightforward process. Updates will decrease your expenses, increase your ability to save, and improve the overall value of your home.

Some new updates can specifically target lowering your heating bill. Here are five ways that you can reduce your heating bill by updating your home:

1. Insulate Everything

Houses that are properly insulated don’t need as much heating as those with “leaks.” If your home isn’t sealed well, the heat you’re generating inside will leak out.

Your heating bill will go down once you stop trying to heat up the outdoors! A few areas tend to be the primary culprits for air leaks inside homes:

• Doors

• Windows

• Walls

• Fireplaces

• Uninsulated walls

• Power outlets

Inspect these areas of your home for drafts. Can you feel air coming through your doorframe? Is the air warmer or cooler near your fireplace than in the rest of the room? If so, you can address these air leaks to improve the insulation of your home.

2. Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances

Water heating accounts for 13% of the average American homeowner’s heating bill. Usually, families use hot water for their sinks, laundry, showers, and dishwasher.

To cut your energy use even further, consider replacing your hot water heater, clothes washer, and dishwasher with more energy-efficient appliances. Buying an energy-efficient fridge or freezer can also help since cold air in your home increases heating usage and costs during the winter months.

Of course, you can also change your habits and start taking shorter showers and washing clothes in cooler water to save on your heating bill.

3. Invest in a New Roof

Roofing is another part of your home that directly affects your energy usage. In addition to protecting your family from the elements, your roof insulates your home and reflects excess heat.

Consider updating your roofing to ensure the highest level of energy efficiency from this part of your home. Look at different types of roofs and choose the one that will best fit your location and needs and the aesthetic of your house.

Tile roofs in particular are incredibly energy-efficient. Made of natural materials, they reduce the transfer of heat between attic spaces and outdoor air, maintaining the temperature of your home across varying seasons.

4. Update Your Heating System

If your internal heating system is over 15 years old, you should probably replace it. There are many options to choose from, so it should be easy to find the energy system that works best for you and your home.

Homeowners frequently lose energy through poorly insulated heating ducts connected to their heating system. These ducts should especially be insulated when they run through uninsulated walls. Dusty furnace filters can also add to “leakage” and increase energy output.

Newer heating systems are more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. In combination with insulated heating ducts and an updated thermostat, they can significantly reduce energy requirements in your home.

5. Install a Smart Thermostat

In temperate climates, homeowners typically turn their thermostat down in the summer when their home is naturally heated and then turn it up in the winter.

Programming your thermostat to turn down overnight and while you’re away from home is another way to reduce your heating bill. Being proactive with your thermostat can have a significant impact on taking down your annual energy costs.

Smart thermostats are especially effective because they reduce the likelihood of human forgetfulness and inconsistency. With a smart thermostat in place, you won’t have to think about saving energy. Your thermostat will do it for you.

Heat for Less

You can significantly reduce your heating bill with just a few simple updates to your home. While these updates will require a higher investment in the short term, you’ll see the rewards in lower heating bills over the long haul. Follow these five tips, and you’ll soon be living in your most energy-efficient home ever!

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

The faucets in your home are among the most visible components of your plumbing system. This means that any problems with a faucet in your home are immediately noticeable and often more annoying than a problem elsewhere in your plumbing system. A leaky faucet is one of the most common plumbing problems you'll face, especially if you have older faucets. Fortunately, diagnosing and repairing this problem is one of the easiest do-it-yourself fixes that you can take on as a homeowner.

Stop the Flow of Water

Before you begin disassembling your leaky faucet, you'll need to turn off the water supply. Typically, you'll find the shutoff valve directly beneath the faucet. Make sure to close the valve completely so that you don't have to worry about water squirting out of the open-faced faucet. If your faucet doesn't have its own shutoff valve, you'll need to turn off the flow of water at the main shutoff valve for your home before you can continue.

Remove the Affected Components

Depending on the type of faucet you have, a leak may be caused by components either in the handle or the spout. You'll need to disassemble the affected parts of your faucet so that you can replace the components inside. Most components can be removed by using a small hex wrench on the screws that are typically at the back of the sink faucet and out of view. However, some sinks have screw covers, which will need to be pried off using a flat head screwdriver. Once the cover is removed, you can use an Allen-head screwdriver to remove the screw. 

The first component to check is the faucet cartridge. This component can wear out when you turn your water on and off repeatedly. When it gets worn out, small amounts of water can pass through, resulting in a leak.

Replace the Components

Whenever you're working with your faucet, it's important to inspect all of the components, even those that don't seem to be causing a problem. Visually, you can typically see if there are cracks or breaks in the plumbing. Typically, plumbers will recommend replacing any o-rings that are in your faucet, even if they don’t appear to be degrading. That way you don't have to worry about them causing problems later. This will prevent you from needing to disassemble your faucet multiple times as different problems occur.

Reassemble the Components

Once you have replaced all of the damaged components and o-rings, it’s time to put everything back together. Luckily, the way you removed everything is how you’ll also reassemble them. However, if you have forgotten any of the steps, you can check online for how-to videos or even call a local plumber for help.

Test for Proper Repair

After you get your faucet put back together, you need to test it to make sure it's not leaking. Start by turning on the water supply to about a quarter of its maximum flow rate so that you can ensure there aren't any loose connections. Once you're sure there are no leaks, you can turn the water supply on the rest of the way. After that, you'll want to continue to observe for leaks for the next few minutes to be on the safe side.

Know What to Look For

On rare occasions, you may disassemble your faucet to discover that the leak you have is caused by something more complex. Plumbing issues that are incorrectly repaired can quickly cause major damage to your home. Therefore, if you come across a complex plumbing issue, it's best to call in a professional plumber so that you can ensure the problem is fixed correctly.

4 Ways to Make Sure Your Home Is Secure

A home is burglarized almost every thirty seconds in the United States, causing untold amounts of damage, fear, and pain for the families affected. Your home is meant to be your safe space, but if it’s not properly protected others may try to take advantage of the opportunity to invade. You can take back the security of your home with a few simple steps, making your home a safer place to be.

Secure the Doors

This might be the simplest step. The door is the main point of entry for burglars, especially if they know you’re not in the habit of locking the door. Even if the door is locked, there’s always the option to kick the door in. You should make sure that you have a strong door frame, made of solid material, such as sturdy wood, that’s much harder for a thief to put their foot through. If someone lived in the home prior to you, then it is a good idea to change the locks so that no one who isn’t supposed to have a copy of the key to your home. Additionally, you should install a deadbolt lock and a video doorbell, that way you’re able to see and record who is at your front door. There’s a chance it could end up being used for evidence.

Lock the Windows

Another simple but important step, the windows are another place that thieves can use to get into your home. After all, breaking glass is much easier than breaking through the wood of your door. However, if your windows are unlocked this won’t matter much, as the burglar only has to open the window to slip inside. You can keep your windows secure by checking they’re locked regularly, whether that be before you leave the house or before you go to sleep. You can also use glass break sensors and window bars to deter any vandalism that could create an entrance for potential thieves.

Install a Security System

If you do not have a security system, then now is the time for you to install one. Studies have shown that security systems are an effective deterrent for crime. A 2009 study showed that neighborhoods that had many homes with security systems were less likely to be broken into. That is why if you have a security system, then you can help to keep the entire neighborhood safe.

When thieves see a security system, they know that it will be harder for them to break into your home and get away with it. If they do decide to break into your home, then the authorities will automatically be notified. Additionally, there are some security systems that can capture the person on video. Even if they flee the scene, it will be easier for the police to catch them.

There are other benefits that can be reaped from having a security system. This includes lower home insurance rates and peace of mind knowing you and your home are safe.

Eliminate Hiding Places

There are many thieves who hide in bushes and trees, waiting for you and your family to go to sleep. You can eliminate the hiding places by trimming the trees and bushes around your yard. You should also remove stools and ladders that you’re not using from your yard. Additionally, you should remove the pricey items from your yard. Extravagant items can attract thieves, and even if they’re in your backyard, a simple fence hop can be almost too easy for someone looking to steal things. You should also light up the exterior of your house as much as reasonably possible, eliminating shadowy hiding places and making it easy to see what’s going on outside, even at night.

It is important for you to take all of the steps that you can in order to keep your home secure. You can deter burglars by securing your home and locking your window. It is also important for you to install a security system. Furthermore, it is important for you to eliminate the hiding places in your yard.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage in Your Kitchen

Water damage and mold growth can wreak havoc on your kitchen, so it’s important to get these problems resolved before your kitchen is no longer safe to use. Keeping an eye out for these signs of mold and water damage will help you stay on top of what’s going on in your kitchen better so that you’ll be able to call for professional help to save your kitchen from the damaging effects of moisture and fungal colonies that could grow.

Unusual Odors

It’s not uncommon for kitchens to smell bad sometimes because of trash, leftover food scraps or aromas from cooking, but the unusual odors could also be caused by a water leak or mold growth. The smell could be coming from rotting drywall or other building materials that may have water damage on the inside that isn’t visible. A persistent musty or earthy smell could mean that mold is growing somewhere in your kitchen that might be difficult to see.

Stains on Walls and Floors

Both water damage and mold can leave stains on walls and floors. Stains from both moisture and mildew growth often appear dark or may have shades of brown and green. Looking over your walls and floors regularly can help you spot this problem in its earliest stages. It’s also a good idea to check the sections of your walls that are located beneath your sink and inside cupboards and pantries so that no stains from water damage or mold growth go unnoticed.

Paint Damage

If you notice any damaged paint in your kitchen that’s caused by mold or moisture, contractors from a company like Servpro of Beaufort County may need to be called to remediate the situation and keep the damage from worsening. Both mold and moisture can cause paint to chip away and may even erode the material that’s underneath the paint. After your water or mold problem has been resolved, you may be able to repair the paint damage with a little touch-up paint, or you might need to have large sections of your kitchen walls repainted if the damage is more severe.

Wet or Damp Items

Cooking appliances, kitchen utensils and other items in your kitchen that feel very wet when you go to use them is a definite sign of a water leak, but you should also be aware of any items that feel slightly damp, as this could be a sign of a slower water leak. You might also notice moisture spots that are left behind on surfaces after you’ve moved certain items that are wet on the bottom. Mold that grows on some of your items can also feel moist to the touch.

Your kitchen shouldn’t be overrun by a water or mold problem. Contractors who specialize in mold and water damage remediation can help restore your kitchen to its excellent quality so that you’ll have a better place to prepare your favorite meals.