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Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas for Winter

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Winter is just around the corner. As the weather starts to change and temperatures continue to drop, it’s time to think about how you can protect your home from the harsh winter weather while keeping your family comfortable. Below, we’ve put together some simple and affordable home improvement project ideas to help you prepare your home for the winter months ahead while saving money throughout the year.

Winter Home Improvement Projects

It’s time to get your home ready for the winter. Here are just a few affordable home improvement projects that you can do to maintain home comfort while saving on energy costs:

Seal any air leaks or openings.

For less than $100, you can work to seal the openings and air leaks around your home, especially around doors, windows, and electrical outlets. This helps keep the cold winter air front entering your home and also prevents the heat from escaping. This simple home improvement project can help you save a significant amount of money on energy costs while improving your home comfort. All it takes is some caulk, weather stripping, and waterproof sealant to get started.

Insulate your attic.

Another way to improve your home comfort while cutting down on energy costs is insulating your attic space. Though this may seem like a daunting task at first, it is one that homeowners can complete on their own without the help of a contractor. It can also be completed for less than $500, while providing a significant return on investment by helping lower energy costs over time. The best time to make sure that your insulation is effective is just before winter when temperatures start to drop significantly.

Install a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats help you improve efficiency when heating and cooling your home. With a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature of your home on a schedule. This helps you avoid paying to heat your home when no one is there as you can set the thermostat to a cooler temperature to conserve energy. It also helps ensure that your home is at a comfortable temperature during the times when you and your family are home. Overall, this device saves you the hassle of adjusting your thermostat every time you leave and return home, but it can also help you save money while keeping your home comfortable throughout the winter time.

Winter HVAC Maintenance

While you’re preparing your home for the winter, don’t forget about your HVAC system. Most homeowners use their heater more often in the winter, which can cause wear and tear to the parts. If you are noticing issues with your heater or you just want a yearly tune-up, call the HVAC experts at Countryside. With decades of experiencing serving homeowners in the St. Croix Falls area and beyond, we know just want it takes to keep your Wisconsin home comfortable year-round.

Call now to schedule a service appointment: (800) 542-4243.

 

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

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The water heater is one of the appliances in our homes that we often take for granted. You may not think twice about filling up a warm bath or washing dishes in the sink, but when your water starts to run cold, you may be wishing that you knew more about this often used appliance. The key to staying comfortable and using energy more efficiently in your home is to recognize when your water heater needs to be replaced. Below, we’ll talk more about how long water heaters last and what the warning signs are that yours may need to be replaced.

How long does a water heater last?

One of the questions that we get asked most often is – How long does a water heater last? The answer to this question will depend on what type of water heater you have, the quality of the unit, what condition it is in, and how well it has been maintained.

Typically, a traditional tank-style water heater will last about 8 to 12 years. When the anode rod starts to corrode in the tank, it no longer functions and will eventually cause the lining to start to corrode as well. On the other hand, a tankless water heater often lasts up to 20 years and sometimes even longer. These types of water heaters do not work continuously to maintain a hot water supply, so they last longer than those with tanks. However, eventually even tankless water heaters will start to corrode and need to be replaced.

If you just moved into your home or you have lost the documentation for the water heater, you may not know how old the appliance is. One way to find out is to take a look at the serial number located on the top of the water heater, which helps you get a clue as to when it was manufactured. The serial number consists of a letter followed by numbers. The letter usually stands for the month it was made (with “A” for January, “B” for February, etc.), and the next two numbers indicate the year. For example, “A11” would suggest that the water heater was made in January 2011.

Warning Signs Your Water Heater Needs to Be Replaced

Age is not the only way to determine if your water heater needs to be replaced. There are also a few warning signs that can indicate you need to get a replacement:

  • Water around the water heater – Water pooling around the water heater may indicate that your tank has a leak. Tanks can begin to fracture as they age. As the metal heats, it expands these fractures, which will leak until the inner tank has cooled again.
  • Rusty water – If you notice rusty water coming from the hot side of your water heater piping, this could indicate that your water heater is rusting inside. If your water heater is rusting, you will want to get this checked before it starts to leak.
  • Rumbling or banging noises – If you start to hear rumbling or banging noises coming from inside of your water heater as it heats up, this may be a sign that you need a replacement. As the water heater gets older, sediment starts to build up on the bottom of the tank and it hardens over time as the sediment is heated and reheated.

Knowing the age of your water heater and looking out for signs that you need to replace the appliance will help you stay safe and comfortable and avoid any water heater emergencies. If you think that you may need a new water heater, call the plumbing experts at Countryside for an evaluation: (800) 542-4243.

7 Tips for Making Good Spring Cleaning Better

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Who doesn’t love a clean home? Spring cleaning is the perfect time to get your home incredibly tidy up for the impending warmer weather. We’ve come up with some great shortcuts to common spring cleaning tasks, that will make your satisfying cleaning experience even more enjoyable.

Household Cleaning Shortcuts

We’ve rounded up some extremely helpful tips and tricks to make your cleaning experience so much easier. From using pillowcases to an unorthodox use for a rubber glove, you don’t want to miss these great ways to save you time this spring cleaning season.     

home-cleaning-shortcuts

For more tips and tricks related to your home (especially if you’re curious about HVAC and plumbing!), be sure to follow our blog, either by subscribing, or checking back for regular updates.

 

 

4 Tips About Weatherproofing from Industry Experts

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No matter what season it is, if the temperature outside your home is different than the temperature inside your home then there is a chance that temperatures and weather conditions outside can impact your home environment. The most effective way to prevent damage to your home, maintain your indoor environment, and stop wasting energy on heating and cooling is to work on weatherproofing your home. Below are some of the top tips out there for weatherproofing like a pro.

Expert Weatherproofing Tips

If you fancy yourself a handy man (or woman) and you’re looking for ways to improve your skills then you might enjoy these weatherproofing tips that we’ve put together from the experts:

  1. Replace the weather stripping on your doors.

If you find that your doors are a bit drafty, it may be time to replace your weather stripping. Choose vinyl or rubber stripping and fasten it to the sides and top of the door, using staples or nails every 6 inches. If you find that the draft is coming from the bottom of the door where the door meets the threshold, you can apply a sweep to the bottom of the door to stop the draft.

  1. Seal your windows.

Windows are another common area where homeowners may notice a draft or start to see water leak in when it rains. Sealing your windows is simple using caulk around your windows. You may also want to consider installing storm windows, which can help add an extra layer of protection against the cold air of winter.

  1. Insulate your attic or basement.

Installing adequate insulation is an important part of not only keeping your home comfortable but preventing energy loss which can drive up your heating and cooling costs throughout the year. Every area of your home can be insulated, but the attic and basement areas are two of the most important places to insulate as this is where much of your energy loss may come from.

  1. Make sure that your air ducts are well insulated.

Many homeowners tend to forget about their air ducts unless they experience an airflow issue. However, poorly insulated air ducts not only affect your home temperature, but they can cost you a significant amount when it comes to wasted energy. Seal your ducts using mastic and butyl or another heat-approved tape. You can wrap your ducts with duct insulation, which can be purchased at your local home improvement store.

Weatherproofing your home not only helps you prevent damage from the elements, but it can also help you improve your indoor air quality. If you still don’t see improvement in the quality of your home air after taking these weatherproofing measures, it may be time to call in the experts.

Countryside Plumbing and Heating provides indoor air quality services to help New Richmond homeowners improve the quality of their indoor air so that they can breathe easier and provide a healthier home environment for their families. Call us today to find out more about how we can improve your IAQ: (800) 542-4243.