With more Americans downsizing their household budgets, larger-scale renovation projects are out and frugal remodeling is in. And when it comes to saving money, experts say home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency are among the best investments to deliver paybacks — now and in the future.
The average return on investment for midrange home improvement [...]
Ice dams may not be something the average homeowner has ever heard of, but they occur all too frequently during the winter months, resulting in costly damage. Left unaddressed, water seepage from ice dams can ruin ceilings, walls, attics and roofing.
Ice dams usually form when heat from inside a home causes snow on the roof [...]
Winter’s chill is supposed to take place outdoors, but too often drafty attics, fireplaces, windows and open vents let cold air into your home. This wastes energy and can cost you big money in higher energy bills.
Drafts, such as those around doors, windows and pipes, are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in [...]
You scheduled flu shots for the entire family and stocked the cabinets with plenty of vitamin C and chicken soup. But what have you done to ensure the health of your actual home this winter?
You may not realize it, but allergens and toxins camp out in your house during the colder months, just waiting for [...]
With the winter weather slowly creeping in, it’s time to get your house ready for snow, wind, ice, freezing rain and all the other potential bad weather that can cause damage to your property.
Don’t wait until the first frost or snowfall to prepare your house for winter. One night with no heat or frozen water [...]
A leaky, un-insulated garage door may not be an obvious culprit in rising monthly utility bills, but it’s worth a second look if you have an attached garage.
Replacing an older garage door with a new, energy-efficient model can reduce energy loss through the garage door by up to 71 percent, according to a comparison study [...]
When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn’s grayer skies, bare bland walls can feel like an ugly mark on your home’s decor. Suddenly, those undecorated walls that you were too busy to notice this past summer cry out for color and pizzazz – especially if you’re dealing with economy-induced [...]
As the crisp fall air ushers in a new season, many gardeners may be left wondering: what now? Garden experts from across the country weighed in with their tips on the best things you can do this fall for a fabulous garden next year.
Plant now, bloom later
Judy Nauseef, president of the Association of Professional Landscape [...]
Most people view spring and summer as the peak time for lawn care, but it’s fall that actually marks the beginning of your lawn’s growing season. There are simple but crucial steps to take now to promote a strong, beautiful lawn through next season and beyond.
Whether you have the best yard in the neighborhood or [...]
With cooler nights and shorter days, it’s time to get on that fall home maintenance plan now. Winter is on the way, bringing falling temperatures and wet conditions that create a host of small problems that can add up to big costs by spring. Even seasoned homeowners may overlook some small but significant steps that [...]
