(This post is brought to you by ServiceMaster Restore.)

Remodeling your home is a huge undertaking. You’ve probably been saving for years so you could build your dream kitchen or bathroom. Now that the time is finally here, you’re eager to start knocking down walls and demolishing cabinets. However, before you begin altering your space, use a pre-remodeling checklist to keep your project on track.

Write Down Agreements With Your Contractors

Choosing your contractor is the first essential step in beginning your renovations. Always search for licensed, insured, and experienced professionals, to make sure they have the necessary skills to perform your job successfully and on time. You also want to make sure they hire their own employees or have good relationships with reliable subcontractors.

With your contractor chosen, it’s time to narrow down the terms of your agreement. The contractor you picked probably gave you an estimate before being chosen, so keep that handy throughout the renovation as proof of what you promised to pay. Make sure your agreement includes detailed information about the work that needs to be completed as well as specific materials and finishes to be used. Communicating clearly will make the entire project easier for everyone by making it less likely mistakes will be made and more likely the work will be completed on time.

Pack Up All Your Non-Essentials

When your renovation begins, your home will officially become a construction zone. Dust and debris will cover practically every surface of the work area as workers rip out walls and remove flooring. That’s why you should make a point to clean out the rooms being renovated as much as possible. Not only will all your belongings be in the way of the workers, but your stuff will also get filthy.

Put all your items into boxes and store them in another part of your home. (It’s also a great time to go through your items and get rid of things you no longer use.)

Make Plans for Using Alternate Spaces in Your Home

With your kitchen or bathroom out of commission until further notice, you’re going to have to make some changes to keep your home functional. Ordering pizza for dinner every night or stopping over at the neighbor’s every time you have to use the bathroom isn’t effective in the long run.

Instead, try to set up replacement rooms in your home. Obviously, if you have an additional bathroom, this isn’t a problem. However, most people don’t have two kitchens in their homes. Make up for this by moving your microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and other small electronic appliances into another room where you can prepare meals. It won’t be a good setup for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but it should suffice until your job is done.

If you don’t have another bathroom, you’ll have to consider other options, like renting a portable toilet. This type of toilet can be placed in your backyard for your essential needs until your new bathroom is complete.

Have you recently completed a remodel? We’d love to hear your tips. Also, we’d love to see your before and after pictures—click here to send an email.

(This post is brought to you by New Leaf Cabinets.)

Budgeting for your kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to be a bad situation. And you certainly don’t have to break the bank to get it done. Many people assume that they have to spend upwards of $20,000 for a kitchen remodeling, but the truth is, you can enhance the appearance of your kitchen on the cheap—without compromising quality of the kitchen’s integrity. If you’re looking to make some changes in your home—and increase your home value—here are six budgeting tips for a kitchen makeover.

Create a Budget

This first tip may seem like the most obvious one, but it’s the tip that’s most often ignored. Sticking to a budget is much harder than you think. Some homeowners falsely assume that, because they’re buying and remodeling inexpensively, they don’t have to keep up with the costs. But as you might have already learned from going to low-cost department stores like Target, the little things add up. Take a look at your income, your bills, and decide home much you can afford to spend. Use budgeting apps to help you keep track of your budget along the way.

Be Smart About Your Backsplash

Your backsplash is functional and visually appealing. After all, a tiled backsplash can prevent you from having to spend thousands replacing walls that may become water damaged from condensation and grime in this area. Depending on your kitchen, this is an area where your eyes might be naturally drawn to. One of the most important budgeting decisions you’ll make is choosing what tiles to use. High-end tile will, of course, cost more money, but you can save by purchasing a tile product that has been discounted, answering ads on seller marketplaces like Craigslist, or purchasing the leftover tiles that weren’t use for a different project.

Don’t Forget About the Lighting

The lighting in your kitchen can completely change the ambiance of your space. Overhead lighting should be bright to help you concentrate on your kitchen’s cooking areas. Under-cabinet lighting is also a great addition that won’t hurt your budget, but will prove very effective and functional in your kitchen.

For your primary lighting source, consider track lighting over recessed lighting, which costs more and is a time-consuming, laborious project. Because holes will need be cut into the ceiling, you’ll have to consider the costs of adding electrical wiring—and the hidden costs associated with repairing the ceiling.

Think About Your Counters & Cabinetry

Choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets and counters isn’t easy, as these are the focal point of your kitchen. When guests walk into your kitchen, they make first impressions based on this. As such, it should be a priority in your remodeling efforts. If you already have good cabinetry, you could simply add new doors and hardware and retain the frame. You could also save money by painting or spray painting your current doors, and simply installing new hardware pieces.

A good paint job always makes an incredible difference. For outdated cabinets that are still in good condition, consider painting them white and then priming them with a semi-gloss. White cabinetry also makes a space feel bigger and brighter than it actually is.

When you’re trying to save money, it’s important to know when to renovate and when to replace. “A full renovation of cabinets involves removing the cabinet frames and starting from scratch,” says New Leaf, a maker of kitchen cabinets and countertops in Tacoma WA. “Of course, this will cost more, but it’s often necessary when you realize that simple coat of paint won’t hide the damages and wear and tear of your cabinetry.”

Work With Your Plumbing

Each time your move your appliances, you’re likely going to add another $5,000 to your budget. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, do your best to work with your current layout—especially when it comes to your piping and utilities. You may, however, choose to decide on new appliances, which can complement all the changes that you’ve made to the kitchen. Many department stores offer stellar appliances on credit, and of course there are warehouses where you can find cheaper, high-quality appliances, too. This property blog will help you on more cool kitchen remodeling ideas.

Add or Renovate an Island

An island can do wonders for the overall appearance of your space. It doesn’t interfere with the preparation areas, creates more seating, and is also great for having help in the kitchen and turning the space into an efficient cooking area and social space. If your kitchen is already equipped with an island, you can give it a new look. If you want to install an island from scratch, you can expect to pay anywhere between $800 to $5,000—but it will likely be a worthwhile investment. To save a bit of money, consider using a butcher block countertop instead of traditional granite and the more expensive stone options.

(This post is brought to you by Hestia Home Services.)

Is your home feeling drab and uninspiring? Before you get ready to hang up a sale sign, check out the ideas below for ways to give your space new life.

The Kitchen

There’s a reason upgrading the kitchen is one of the top ways to increase your home’s value. This room is often considered the heart of the home. So it makes sense that this is one of the top spots for renovating. To give your kitchen a facelift, consider getting in some new appliances if yours are on the older side. You can also replace the countertops or simply paint the cabinets. Finally, if you want to go big, you could do something dramatic like knocking out a wall, adding in an island, or redoing the floors.

The Bathroom

Another essential area in your home is the bathroom. It may seem like the room you spend the least amount of time in, but it’s also a significant contributor to your home’s value. Doing some simple things like adding in a new counter or bathtub can go a long way.

According to Houston remodeling contractors Hestia Home Services, when it comes to kitchen and bathroom renovations, “Simple things like choosing quartz counters over marble and quality fittings reduces our maintenance woes. Likewise, installing LED lights, opting for insulated windows cuts energy bills. Not to mention, brighter designs makes it look larger and more relaxing.”

Bedrooms

Next, you’ll want to consider the bedrooms in your home. Start with your own bedroom. When was the last time you replaced your mattress? Does the furniture go with the rest of the room? How do you feel about the paint color? Your bedroom is supposed to be your safe haven away from the stresses of the world, so make sure it’s a place you love to spend time in.

After that, move onto the other bedrooms. Perhaps your kids have grown out of their old furniture and need an upgrade. Or maybe you plan on having guests over more often and want to upgrade your spare bedroom. Again, small changes can go a long way, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to transform a bedroom.

The Basement

If you have a basement, consider fixing it up a bit. When done right your basement can turn into a great place to entertain guests or simply spend time relaxing. Of course, many basements are dark and dank naturally, so you’ll have to do some work to make it homey. Consider adding an electric heater or fireplace, installing more lights, and getting some comfortable furniture. Add in a television and you’re good to go.

Your Yard

Finally, don’t forget about the outside of your home. Remodeling the inside is great, but if you want to improve your curb appeal, while also giving yourself a relaxing place to spend time outside, you’ll want to fix up the yard. This means doing some landscaping, maybe adding in some patio furniture, or installing a water feature. Here are some great yard ideas for inspiration.

How to Prepare for Your Remodel

To get started with your remodel, you’ll first want to decide on which room you’re tackling first. Is it your kitchen? One of the bedrooms? After you choose one, start coming up with a list of all the things you want to do. For now, don’t worry about the budget, just let your imagination run wild.

Once you have a pre-remodeling checklist, you can start pricing everything you want to do. As you go along, you’ll figure out which items are possible within your budget, and which ones will have to go by the wayside. No matter which methods you choose, you’ll have to find a way to pay for them. The best thing you can do is start saving up early, and make sure you know all the costs before you start any of the work.

Finally, if you’re planning a big job, get some help. Find a local remodeling service to help give you ideas and do the work for you. This will save you time and ensure the job gets done right. Hopefully this guide was able to get you started thinking about remodeling your home, and it won’t be long before you’ve transformed some problem areas into spaces you love.

(This post brought to you by Maxx AC & Heating.)

Remodeling your home is a huge undertaking. You’ve probably been saving for years so you could build your dream kitchen or bathroom. Now that the time is finally here, you’re eager to start knocking down walls and demolishing cabinets. However, before you begin altering your space, use a pre-remodeling checklist to keep your project on track.

Write Down Agreements With Your Contractors

Choosing your contractor is the first essential step in beginning your renovations. Always search only for licensed, insured, and experienced professionals, to make sure they have the necessary skills to perform your job successfully and on time. You also want to make sure they hire their own employees or have good relationships with reliable subcontractors.

With your contractor chosen, it’s time to narrow down the terms of your agreement. The contractor you picked probably gave you an estimate before being chosen, so keep that handy throughout the renovation as proof of what you promised to pay. Make sure your agreement includes detailed information about the work that needs to be completed as well as specific materials and finishes to be used. Communicating clearly will make the entire project easier for everyone by making it less likely mistakes will be made and more likely the work will be completed on time.

Pack Up All Your Non-Essentials

When your renovation begins, your home will officially become a construction zone. Dust and debris will cover practically every surface of the work area as workers rip out walls and remove flooring. That’s why you should make a point to clean out the rooms being renovated as much as possible. Not only will all your belongings be in the way of the workers, but your stuff will also get filthy.

Put all your items into boxes and store them in another part of your home. (It’s also a great time to go through your items and get rid of things you no longer use.)

Make Plans for Using Alternate Spaces in Your Home

With your kitchen or bathroom out of commission until further notice, you’re going to have to make some changes to keep your home functional. Ordering pizza for dinner every night or stopping over at the neighbor’s every time you have to use the bathroom isn’t effective in the long run.

Instead, try to set up replacement rooms in your home. Obviously, if you have an additional bathroom, this isn’t a problem. However, most people don’t have two kitchens in their homes. Make up for this by moving your microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and other small electronic appliances into another room where you can prepare meals. It won’t be a good setup for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but it should suffice until your job is done.

If you don’t have another bathroom, you’ll have to consider other options, like renting a portable toilet. This type of toilet can be placed in your backyard for your essential needs until your new bathroom is complete.

Have you recently completed a remodel? We’d love to hear your tips. Also, we’d love to see your before and after pictures—click here to send an email.

(A big “thank you” to Clean and Clear Water for sponsoring this post!)

Take a look at your glass before you drink the water you’ve just got from your tap. Does it look clean? It should be safe to drink, but sometimes a failure in the system will leave you holding a questionable glass of water.

An even bigger concern is when your water appears to be clean, but contains contaminants that can only be detected by testing. It’s probably always good to check with pros like those at Clean and Clear water for a filter recommendation. After all, there are several ways your water supply may be compromised.

System Maintenance Work

Perhaps the most common cause of dirty water is when the water board is completing work in your vicinity and accidentally leaves the main supply exposed. This can allow all sorts of dirt and debris into the pipes which comes out at your home.

This should be obvious if the color starts to fade after you’ve run the tap for five minutes.

Sediment

Another common problem is sediment present in water lines. This is often flakes of plastic and metal which tend to settle at the bottom of your water heater tank. Unfortunately, they can end up getting sucked into the pipes. This can cause your water to appear cloudy. It is extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to see the pieces of debris, but you will need a filter to remove them from your water.

The debris is created by the natural corrosion of the inside of your pipes and water heater. Flushing the system regularly can help to reduce corrosion buildup and extend the life of your appliances.

Change Of Water Supply

If the source of your water supply has changed then it is possible that the water will appear cloudier or dirtier than before. This should quickly pass although you may notice a taste difference in your water. (This is just one reason why it’s a good idea to have an emergency supply of clean water stored in your home.)

Chemicals

Rainwater flushes the ground, forcing any land based chemicals into the ground and then the water supply. These will include pesticides, oil from roads, and even fracking debris.

All of these elements can be washed into the water supply where they may make your water appear dirty and might just make you ill.

Dealing With Discoloration

If you find that your water has got darker it’s probably time to get your water tested. You can get a sterile cup to take a sample to a local lab or even try a home testing kit. A lab will be able to provide detailed information, including whether bacteria is present. If it is you’ll need to get a plan in place immediately to keep your water clean with a good quality filter—and to find source of the problem. It’s a good idea to also let your neighbors and local government officials know there’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

(A big “thank you” our friends at Signature Joinery & Design for sponsoring this post.)

You could answer this question with, “How long is a piece of string?” After all there are many factors involved in remodeling a kitchen—all of which will affect the price of the remodel.

The average cost of remodeling a kitchen is $17,000 but you need consider several areas listed below to calculate the cost of your own remodel. It’s worth looking at these factors first to ensure you establish a realistic budget. After all, you need to know the potential cost and establish a budget getting started with a remodel.

Space

The most obvious factor in a kitchen remodel is the size of the space you have available. The larger the space the more it is likely to cost you more simply because you’ll need more floor coverings and cupboards to create the perfect kitchen.

Cupboards

There can be a large difference in cost between purchasing kitchen cupboards from your local store and using a commercial joinery firm.

However, this extra cost can be worthwhile. Bespoke cupboards can be made to fit the place and to your exact requirements. They are also likely to give your kitchen a top end finish. That means you get to enjoy a beautiful kitchen and increase the value of your home if you are looking to sell.

Appliances

If you’re remodeling your kitchen then you are likely to be replacing all the appliances.

Again there is a big difference in the price of appliances. A basic stove may set you back as little as $100 while the top end ones could cost 5 or even 10 times this amount.

Your decision regarding which appliances are best will partly depend on your budget. However, you should also consider how the look of the appliance will blend in with your finished kitchen. It is also worth looking at the energy ratings.

A high rated energy appliance will use less electricity throughout the year. Eventually this additional investment can be recovered through energy savings.

Current Condition

It is also important to consider the current state of your kitchen. While a remodel usually means taking everything out and refitting it, the state of your walls in particular can increase the cost of your remodel if they will need to be new drywall, texture, and paint.

You also need to think about the current position of electrical outlets and the plumbing. If this needs to be moved then there will be an extra charge for a professional to relocate them according to your needs and design.

Flooring

Hard flooring is essential to spills and the constant foot traffic. The question is how much you want to splurge on gorgeous floors. There is a significant price difference between vinyl flooring and tiling the kitchen. You should also consider the amount of preparation that will be needed to enable the floor to be laid properly.

While the average kitchen remodel price may be $17,000, you can pay significantly more or less depending on the finish you want, the amount of work to be done, and whether you are capable of doing some of the work yourself.

6 Ways to Find Money for your Home Improvement Ideas

1. Save Money for your Home Improvement Ideas:

Even homes that are newly constructed have blemishes that are in need of repair. Whether your dwelling is new or old, you may feel like you want to rush into the repairs without giving much thought as to how you’ll actually pay for them. But before you begin to cross the jobs off your to-do checklist, you want to put money away for the projects. When you receive your paycheck, set up a transfer that automatically places the money into your home savings account. After you’ve paid your bills, any money left over in your checking can also be placed into your savings, before you have time to spend it.

2. Home Improvement Grants Could Help:

Consider applying for home improvement grants offered by the government or your local city. Tax season is an excellent time of year to use your money from a sizeable income tax refund, have the IRS automatically put the money into your savings account. Then when you’re ready to make household repairs, you’ll have the funds available. Focus on the much-needed repairs first. Since the exterior of your dwelling is at the mercy of Mother Nature, you want to focus on the roof, siding, and foundation. Vinyl siding for the home is a versatile and maintenance-free choice. Because it can withstand the elements, it’s also more durable and cost-effective than other varieties. Money from your tax refund can also go to repair missing roof shingles or leaks or help with a bathroom renovation in the future.

3. Qualifying Tax Breaks for Home Repairs:

Certain home improvement ideas and projects could also qualify you for additional credits or tax deductions when you go to file your next return. If you’ve taken out a home equity line of credit or home improvement loan, you could deduct the interest. If your home renovation upgrades are needed for a disabled resident such as to widen doorways or add on ramps to the exterior, you could qualify for medical tax deductions. Energy.gov also has a list of energy efficient tax credits such as a biomass stove, heat pumps, appliances, and Energy Star windows.

4. Consider a Home Improvement Loan:

Have you considered a home improvement loan? Your home improvement ideas could change from a dream to a reality if you borrow the funds to update your home.  A loan could help you make repairs that you normally couldn’t afford. This is especially important for fixes that just can’t be put off. For those with good credit, you may want to try a credit card with promotional offers. These include no financing for a year to 18 months. You may also be able to qualify for a low-interest rate on a personal loan. Before you commit, you want to crunch the numbers to ensure you can afford the payments that come with the borrowed money.

5. Do Your Research for your Home Improvement Projects:

Once you’ve secured the money for your upcoming home improvement projects, you want to research the materials. Prices vary from store to store. Make a list of the necessary items you need and see if the store can offer additional discounts. If you purchase everything from one location, you may qualify for added price breaks.

6. Consider Hiring a Contractor or DIY for Less:

Certain projects painting, power washing, deck staining and caulking are simple fixes you can DIY. If you have jobs that only the expert can tackle, get several bids before hiring a contractor. You can also check online reviews or referrals from friends and family members for reputable recommendations.

Maintaining a dwelling is one of the most important duties of a homeowner. But in order to do it right, you need the necessary funds. With the above saving options, you’ll be able to take pride in your house while staying out of debt.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

You can maximize the space you have in your kitchen by converting uncanny areas into a functional storage. These are spaces you have that are often overlooked. You might be surprised to know how much added space you can acquire from these areas. Check these hidden storages around your kitchen and enjoy the extra space.

18 Hidden Kitchen Storage Ideas you Forgot About

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1. Maximize the base of your existing kitchen storage cabinets

The base of your furniture or cabinets is convertible storage. You just have to seek help with a skilled carpenter or a furniture expert to do this. Don’t worry about the stability; it won’t have any effects on its solidity. The skilled worker you hire knows what he is doing.

2. Kitchen Storage Pantry Ideas: Build vertical spice cabinets

If you look into your kitchen, there’s an empty space left in between cabinets. This space can be used for vertical drawer for your spices and condiments. The narrow space that you have can actually accommodate a lot of kitchen essentials. This idea provides utmost convenience in doing your chores. You may love this kitchen storage spice rack tutorial we featured on Stagetecture.

3. Explore under your kitchen sink storage areas

Don’t forget the space underneath your sink. Build some drawers for your dishwashing soaps, refills for liquid hand soap, toothpaste and other items. This will provide great comfort and convenience for you to work on your kitchen chores.

Make sure to hire only a skilled person to do these ideas. This will ensure safety and beauty of the hidden storage that you plan to have.

15 Kitchen Storage Ideas from our Blogger Friends

1. How to Organize a Pantry
2. Tips for Kitchens With No Storage
3. Pantry Organization Labels
4. DIY Dish Drawer Organizer
5. DIY Knife and Cutting Board Drawer
6. Quick Tips for Organizing Food Storage Areas in Your Kitchen
7. Wasted Spaces
8. Corralling the Clutter
9. Organizing Your Pots & Pans
10. DIY Rolling Jar Storage
11. Kitchen Spice-Up
12. Upcycled Old Rake to Rustic Utensil Holder
13. 5 Easy Steps to an Organized Pantry
14. 10 Minute Organization Ideas
15. DIY Spice Drawer Organizing Ideas

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Now that the holidays are behind us, and the New Year upon us, it’s time to get refocused on winter maintenance for our homes. Between protecting the exterior of the home from harsher winter weather like snow and ice, to keeping the interior warm regardless of the dropping temperatures outside, certain winter maintenance tasks are essential. This season, I’ve paired up with American Home Shield (AHS), the nation’s largest provider of home warranties, to help make your home warmer and safer this winter. If you remember last year, I showed you how to get your New Year’s Resolutions Home Maintenance Checklist ready. This year, I will show you tips for snow/ice removal, furnace maintenance, fireplace safety and keeping out the cold with your doors and windows.

Keep your Exterior Winter Home Safe with Snow/Ice Removal Tips:

I’m originally from Colorado and I can remember having to get up two hours early in college to help my dad shovel the driveway, walkway, and steps so that we wouldn’t slip and fall. I also remember shoveling the sidewalk outside of our driveway to ensure our neighbors were kept safe as well. While I didn’t love these winter chores, I can now see why it was so essential!

Remember These Points When Shoveling Snow:

Have the proper tools for your shoveling before you get started. Old shovels from years past could be more of a hindrance than good. Broken shovels, old handles, and worn tools can create a dangerous hazard for you as you shovel and can make you exert yourself twice as hard.

Did you wait too long to start shoveling, and now your driveway is iced over? Try these ice-melting agents! From table salt and sugar to fertilizer, these agents can help melt ice and help you get back to shoveling.

Ice Buildup on your Exterior Home can Cause Improper Drainage:

Keeping your home warm can often start with your roof. In the wintertime, the stability of your roof is often one of the most overlooked areas of your home’s exterior. It not only keeps out the cold air and elements but also helps your insulation do its job, to keep in your heat. Ice and snow buildup around your roof shingles and gutters could cause ice dams and lead to future damage.

Watch this video from AHS: How to Prevent Ice Damage:

I love the tips in the video about using vents to ensure good air circulation in your attic! We often think of circulation in the summer months but often forget this is essential in the wintertime as well.

Furnace Maintenance can bring in More Warmth & Lower Energy Bills:

Your furnace is probably the hardest working appliance in your home during the winter months. Ensuring that you keep your electric furnace or gas furnace operating at its optimal capacity can help your family stay warmer and can also keep your energy bills from creeping higher and higher.

If you have noticed your heat isn’t as warm as before, it could mean your furnace isn’t running at its optimal level. Turn on your thermostat to heat and see how long it takes to respond. If you have an older thermostat, consider installing a programmable thermostat. These tips from AHS will help you understand how to adjust your thermostat to the changing seasons.

Hiring a professional HVAC service/repair service is very important as they can perform an overall inspection of your system – not only making sure it’s safe to operate, but also taking care of routine maintenance that can extend the life of your unit. You can also try:

• Inspecting your furnace on your own: Debris buildup on the floor behind your unit, exposed wires and checking the overall unit for wear and tear over the years is important.

Take a look at this AHS Video: Heating Repair & Maintenance: How to Inspect A Furnace:

1. Furnace maintenance: Check your air filter monthly to make sure it is clean and is enabling air to filter through it more efficiently. A clean air filter can keep your home warmer, can cut down on energy costs and can improve your indoor air quality.
2. Checking the seal around your HVAC unit: As shown in the video above, check to see if your ducts, doors, and all seams are sealed and not letting air seep in or out of your furnace.
3. Inspect your ducts throughout your home: In your attic look to see that your ducts are all still wrapped up in their original insulation. If there are any that are pulling away from the inner duct, consider calling an HVAC professional to rewrap the ducts.

How to Warm Up your Chilly Home with a Clean Fireplace:

Winter and fall are the coldest times of the year and therefore put your fireplace front and center throughout the season. Your fireplace can be the best part of a chilly evening, or the worst in terms of fire safety. Take a look at these tips for keeping a clean fireplace to keep you and your family safe from harm.

Ensure Your Chimney Is Clean For The Cold Season:

Keeping your fireplace clean from season to season is important for your safety as well as getting the most heat! If you don’t feel comfortable cleaning your own fireplace, consider hiring a chimney sweep or professional chimney cleaning/repair service to assist you. If you prefer to do it yourself, wait three days after the last time you burned wood in it. This ensures there are no embers still burning and you won’t accidentally encounter them.

Follow These Fireplace Cleaning Steps For Fireplace Safety:

AHS Video: How To Clean your Fireplace:

Didn’t you like the tip about sprinkling coffee grounds to prevent puffing? I know the last time we cleaned out our fireplace I felt like I needed a ventilator mask from all of the ash dust! Yeah, I should’ve used this pro tip. J

Keep Your Home Warm By Sealing Up

Drafty Windows And Doors:

There’s nothing worse than sitting in your warm home and feeling a cold draft of air seeping through the windows or doors! Over time, your windows and doors can leak air for numerous reasons.

Whether your caulking is old and needs replacing or weather stripping in the jamb and sill of your doors/windows are failing, there are common areas where air leaks can occur:

• Sill plates
• Door frames
• Window frames
• Chimney flashing
• Outlets and switches
• Recessed lighting
• Attic entrance

On a day that has a little bit of a breeze walk around the exterior and interior of your home and see how the airtightness is holding up around all of the above-mentioned areas. With a caulking gun and a tube of caulk, seal up any cracks and air spaces on the exterior of your home. Also pay close attention to air leaks where plumbing, ducts, and wiring come through the walls or floors.

Window Insulating & Sealing Off Air Leaks Can Help

Take a look at these window insulating ideas from AHS for a warmer home this winter.

If you feel air coming from beneath your doors on the interior of your home, consider installing a door sweep to keep out drafts and use weather stripping along the jamb to create a tight seal when the door closes.

If your home’s windows are over 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing them with energy efficient windows. If you’re on a tight budget and cold air is seeping in around your windows, try an insulation film kit you can get at your local home improvement store.

This winter, you can help keep out drafts and keep your home warmer by using these helpful tips. Check your home’s furnace, chimney, and windows/doors to keep your interiors comfortable from the winter cold. Outside the home, keep your walkways clear with the snow shoveling tips and make sure you monitor your roof to avoid ice dams and damage. This season your winter home is going to be the warmest ever!

With the high demand and low supply of heat energy in the winter, it is necessary to reduce your heating costs in order to save resources. Saving means cutting down many costs that are usually incurred during this time, while adopting various activities that minimize such costs. Below are various ways of saving on winter heating costs in order to save resources. Saving means cutting down many costs that are usually incurred during this time, while adopting various activities that minimize such costs. Below are various ways of saving on winter heating costs.

6 Clever Ways to Save on Winter Heating Costs

1. Save your Winter Heating Costs: Eliminate Energy Waste

Saving winter heating bills can be easier than you think with activities such as switching off lamps in unoccupied rooms, unplugging any free refrigerator that is not highly required etc. By doing this, one will have acquired relatively convenient ways reducing any extra injections into your monthly electric bills. Switching off kitchen and bath ventilating supporters after they’ve done their job can as well blow out a house-full of warmed air if accidentally kept on. Keep fireplace damper sealed unless flames are burning to avoid up to 8% of your furnace-heated air from increasing in the chimney.

2. Water Conservation: Take Shorter Showers

This can be achieved simply by minimizing that lingering time hence saving huge amounts of gallons of warm water monthly for the family. Showers take into account 2/3 of your normal water heating costs. Water conservation is extremely important and can help in your heating costs. Reducing your showers in two will certainly reduce the water heating costs by about 33%.

3. Energy Efficient Homes should use Appliances Proficiently

You can decide to use home appliances fully only when working with your clothes and dishwashers. Use the cool water setting on your clothes washer when you’re able to. Using cool water minimizes your washer’s energy use by an average of 75%. To achieve this, make sure to clean your clothes dryer’s lint capture after every use. Utilize any automated drying mechanism available at the near environment on your clothes dryer if you have one.

4. Energy Savings: Put Personal Computers in Energy Efficient Mode

Most personal home computers come with the energy management features switched off. On personal computers that operate on Windows, begin using any energy management application installed which means that your computer would go to sleep it is idle for some minutes.

People who use Macintosh personal computers should check on their Control Sections named “Energy Saver” and adjust them accordingly. If you are done making use of your computer, shut it down. Do not leave it in sleep mode as it still consumes energy. With computers being energy inefficient, these techniques help in minimizing winter heating costs.

5. Winter Heating Costs Tip: Invest in Good Insulation

A lot of money is usually wasted in through various energy costs every year due to the loss of high temperatures and cool air in homes without proper insulation. Install inexpensive insulation from your neighborhood do-it-yourself stores and install where air escapes in your home. This is an ideal way to help in minimizing heating costs. It is important for people to focus on foam weather stripping for your doors and windows; it’s cheap and is incredibly easy to use. Cut your winter home heating bills with these energy savings tips from Popular Mechanics.

6. Energy Savings Tips: Modify your Thermostat at Night

Corresponding to various research on energy, you save about 10 % per season on your warming charges by turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees Celsius in every 8 hours. You can as well consider buying flannel bed linens and warm bed comforters for your foundation and maintaining your apartment much cooler when you sleep.

The above are some of the various ways that one can adopt in order to save on winter heating costs. They are cheap methods that can be used by every person to ensure that no excess amounts of money are wasted on heating costs during the winter.

For more home energy savings tips on Stagetecture, click here.