Repair Tips
Low-cost ways to save energy and money
Home improvements that give you the most return for your money
Low-cost projects that add value to your home
Repairs you should never do yourself
Low-cost ways to save energy and money
Repairs you should never do yourself
The Alliance to Save Energy recommends the following low-costs ways to save energy and money:
- Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.
- Seal and weatherstrip windows and doors to keep in heating or cool air. Weatherstrip doors and sealing windows and other gaps along the home’s foundation. A combination of air sealing and adding insulation to attics, basements, and crawlspaces provides tremendous energy savings and increased comfort.
- The easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate your home is to add insulation in the attic. If you have less than six or seven inches, you can probably benefit by adding more.
- A water tank insulation wrap costs about $20 and helps hold the heat inside.
- Use mastic to seal all exposed ductwork joints in areas such as the attic, crawlspace, or basement. Insulate ducts to improve efficiency of heating system.
- Replace single pane windows with low-e coated or ENERGY STAR® windows. Storm windows can reduce winter heat loss by 25–50 percent.
- When buying new products, look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
- Replace the five most used incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
- Use dimmers, timers, and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
- Install an ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat and save about $100 each year; it adjusts the temperature automatically for you.
- An ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace, when properly sized and installed, along with sealed ducts and a programmable thermostat, can save up to 20 percent on heating bills.
- When it’s time to replace the hot water tank, buy the most efficient one possible. Consider a tankless, on-demand system.
- When buying a new AC unit, look for a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 13 or higher on central systems and the ENERGY STAR label on room units.
- Trees that lose their leaves in the fall give protection from the summer sun and permit winter sunlight to reach and warm your home. Plant trees on the south, east, and/or west sides of your home. Be sure to shade the AC unit. Create a windbreak with evergreen trees and shrubs to stop chilling winds.
Source: Alliance to Save Energy
Create the impression that your home has been well-maintained. Potential buyers will notice problems such as
- Sticking doors
- Torn screens
- Cracked caulking around doors and windows
- Dripping faucets, hose bibs, and valves
- Damaged gutters and downspouts
Other problems areas that home sellers should check are
- Deteriorating chimney caps and loose mortar
- Vents and chimneys infested with squirrels, nests, and bugs
- Damaged or missing roof shingles
- DTree limbs too close to the roof or shrubs growing too close to exterior walls
- Weather stripping and glazing putty around windows
Source: National Association of Realtors, American Society of Home Inspectors
Home improvements that give you the most return for your money
According to Remodeling Magazine's 2009-2010 Cost vs. Value report, these projects will give you the most return (in percentage) for your investment.
- Entry-door replacement—steel (128.9 percent return on your investment)
- Entry-door replacement—fiberglass (64.2 percent)
- Siding replacement—fiber-cement (83.6)
- Siding replacement—vinyl siding (79.9)
- Attic or bedroom additions (83.1)
- Deck additions—wood (80.6)
- Deck additions—composite (70.9)
- Kitchen renovations (78.3)
- Window replacements—wood (77.3)
- Window replacements—vinyl (76.6)
- Bathroom upgrades (71)
- Roofing replacement (66.6)
- Garage addition (62.2)
Source: Remodeling Magazine
Low-cost projects that add value to your home
- Paint, paint, paint
- Refinish the front door
- Replace the bathroom fan
- Replace kitchen cabinet hardware
- Replace laminate kitchen countertops
- Landscape the front yard
- Regular, proper maintenance
- Refinish hardwood floors
- Fix draft cracks for better air flow
Source: homeinsight.com
Repairs you should never do yourself
How hard can it be? According to HowStuffWorks.com, attempting certain repairs can be dangerous to your house and harmful to yourself. Those include
- Electrical repairs: Extending or replacing circuits is dangerous business if you don't know what you're doing. One wrong move could burn your house down, and a shock could result in injury or death.
- Plumbing repairs: While this isn't as dangerous as electric work, plumbing problems can get out of hand fast and lead to an expensive and wet future.
- Asbestos removal: Aside from the inherent dangers of toxicity, there are many laws that govern the removal of asbestos because it can pose a anger to those in close proximity -- like your neighbors. So what's a homeowner to do? Hire a professional.
- Roofing repairs: Repairing a roof isn't recommended for a do-it-yourselfer for one reason -- it's easy to fall off. Aside from the danger involved, roofing work also requires experience to get it right. If you bite off more than you can chew, you may end up with a leaky roof and expensive water damage.
- Gas appliance repairs. Some homeowners feel like a hot water heater replacement is within the realm of their capabilities, and this is when accidents happen. Like water, gas will always find a leak. So while you may have done a good job in cutting off the gas supply line and replacing the water heater, you may not have been as careful when hooking it back up. The end result of what you thought was a simple fix could lead to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning
Source: homeinsight.com
Alamo Handyman LLC • San Antonio, TX • (210) 684-8500 • Fax: (210) 684-8505 • alamohandyman@yahoo.com
