Various inexpensive projects, such as sealing your doors and windows, fertilizing your lawn and giving your exterior walls a fresh coat of paint, are not difficult to accomplish and are great to do on those cooler days before winter truly sets in.
If you have more money in your budget, you may even be able to hire a home builder and build on an extension for some more indoor space when you really need it. For a full guide on home improvement, click here.
1. Seal windows and doors
Do you feel a chill when sitting next to certain windows or doors in your home? A home energy survey will reveal problem areas, including the caulking and weatherstripping in your home. You can even do your own mini-survey, beginning with these videos and tips from the U.S.
Department of Energy
Taking the time to seal seams around windows and doors not only improves energy preservation but reduces utility costs. A longer-term investment is to replace windows with double or glazed ones that are more energy-efficient.
2. Install a programmable thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is a project you can do on your own but you will need to carefully read the installation and setup guide to get the most advantage out of all it offers. A programmable thermostat allows you to customize the heating in your home to suit your needs.
A technical specialist at a leading essay writing service suggests that you can set heating around daily schedules and turn it off when nobody is at home by using the different programming options. For every degree you lower the temperature in your home during winter, you save extra money on your energy bills. Some thermostats even have the option of remote control.
3. Apply new exterior paint
Home renovation budgeting should include the outside of your property too. Paint is an inexpensive update and fall has enough warm days to touch-up exterior paint. This can help prolong the life of siding and trim and also give your home a new look. Manufacturers often offer the best deals on paints in the late fall and winter.
It would be wise to do it, while there is less humidity and moisture in the air at this time, which means that paint dries faster and bonds quicker to surfaces. A fresh coat of paint and sealer on any surface that may be covered by snow is a good idea and you need to do this before the weather gets too cold.
4. Pamper your lawn
Give your lawn one final cut and some pampering to make sure it bounces back in spring. Aerate the lawn and rake up fallen leaves to prevent lawn and garden beds from suffocating. Aerating the lawn helps micronutrients to get into the soil and feed the lawn before winter.
A leading writer in agriculture technology at a college essay writing service says that fertilizing and winterizing grass, shrubs and trees means they can go into winter properly nourished. Add a layer of mulch to the base of shrubs, bushes and trees to keep roots warm and protected from ice and snow.
It does not take much time or money to give your lawn and shrubs a little care before winter and this makes sure you will be able to enjoy a beautiful yard in the spring.
5. Make more room
When spending time indoors, a lack of room can be a real problem, especially for a growing family. An expensive move to a larger property is not the only option. Adding an extension, like a conservatory, to your existing home, can make all the difference. There are so many possibilities an extra living space can bring.
A conservatory allows your family to take advantage of better natural light and as it sits close to your garden, it helps you to feel as though you are outdoors and yet you benefit from the warmth and comfort of being inside. It also adds significant value to your home.
Conclusion
There are various inexpensive ways to improve your home in the autumn and early winter, from painting to fertilizing a lawn. Other more expensive options still add value to your home and reduce costs over the long term, such as installing new windows or adding a programmable thermostat. The most expensive option is to add a conservatory but this is far less expensive than moving to a new, larger home
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Leon Collier is an academic writer and blogger from the UK and considered as one of the best in the trade as per essay writing service reviews. He covers a wide range of subjects and his expert area is lab reports, research writing, coursework and college essays. He’s an ardent RPG fan and loves to read or play with his friends on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @LeonCollier12