A great way to save money around the home is to make use of home DIY projects. These projects are typically an exchange of money and time; for putting in a little time and effort, the homeowner will save money in the long run. Listed are nine projects that are within your capability and that will help save you money or boost the value of your home.

- Replace the siding and windows of your home.

Both projects rated the top in terms recouping the cost of carrying out the upgrade. This is a result of the value put into the beauty of such upgrades, as opposed to the relatively low cost of the upgrade. This is a matter of curb appeal, which can greatly affect the overall value of the home. New siding also enables the home to be better maintained. New windows can also increase the energy efficiency of the home, enabling even more savings. Make your rooms come alive with a window treatment like blinds or plantation shutters that fits your taste and style.

- Make your home more green in a vast number of ways.

This can include caulking, changing the insulation, replacing doors and windows, and adding any number of features that improve the energy efficiency of the home. Each are very cheap steps that can lead to savings in your energy bills. Other items include low flow faucets, furnaces, tank-less water heaters, and other appliances.

- Add a deck to boost value.

This is another easy add on that makes up for the cost of the project.

- Apply cosmetic touches.

This is everything from repainting walls or replacing the flooring to additions of hardwood floors and more. These are the sorts of touches that many look for in a home.

- Take is a step further with wow projects.

The addition of paintings, new moldings, and other cosmetic features that makes your home stand out from the rest.

- Remodel the kitchen.

The two top things that will sell a home are the kitchen and bathrooms. Minor fix ups include upgrading appliances and kitchen hardware, replacing the countertops, refacing the cabinets, and other small upgrades. These improve the cosmetics without breaking the bank. Upgrading the lighting, and getting high end appliances will proportionately increase the value.

- Remodel the bathroom.

Like the kitchen, cosmetic and hardware upgrades are cheap and effective ways to bolster value. Upgrading the shower and/or bathtub is more expensive, but is equally effective.

- Repurpose old rooms.

An unused dining room can become a study or library.

- Install alternative energy sources.

The addition of solar panels and radiant heating can bolster value and lessen the carbon footprint.

These are a few of the things that can truly boost the value of the home while not requiring as much in terms of project cost. All of these have the potential to recoup their cost, effectively increasing the value of home more than what you paid. A lot of small things can add up quickly in terms of energy and value.

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Originally posted 2009-03-09 05:14:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Sometimes it becomes necessary for you to replace your existing shower head with a brand new one. There are several different available models when it comes to shower heads, some of which have special massage settings and rain settings that contribute to a much more pleasurable experience in the shower. Whether you are changing your shower head to replace a unit that has become broken or simply trying to enhance your bath, the following tips will prove useful in helping you get the job done.

To get this job done you are going to need the new shower head, a pair of channel pliers and a roll of plumber's tape.

The first thing that you are going to want to do is to determine what shower head you are going to be installing. There are spa type models and there are also eco-friendly models that limit the amount of water that comes through.

The next thing that you are going to want to do is to turn the water off to your shower so that there is no water going into the existing head on the shower. You can do this at the faucet, or you can do it at the water shut-off, which is typically located behind the shower in the wall itself.

Now you are going to want to remove the broken or old shower head. You can use a pair of channel lock pliers to rotate the connections for the existing shower head in a counter clockwise fashion until the unit has been removed from the connector where the water comes out. If there is any debris or material on the water pipe, you are going to want to take the time to remove them now. This is going to make sure that the new shower head is connected nice and secure.

Now what you are going to want to do is to wrap commercial plumber's tape along the threaded fittings so that you can achieve a watertight seal on the pipe. A good choice for this particular project is a type of tape that is known as Teflon Tape.

Now you are going to want to attach your brand new shower head, rotating its fitting onto the threaded water pipe. Turn it clockwise until the unit has been secured firmly. If there are any nozzles or hoses to attach, do so now by following the manufacturer's instructions. Now turn the water supply back on and test the unit out to make sure that all of its features are working properly.

You may want to keep some towels on hand when you are removing the original shower head, because sometimes there will be trapped water that can leak out unexpectedly.

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As energy costs continue to rise, many homeowners are starting to get serious about how much money they are wasting on home heating costs. In reality, if your home is poorly insulated, and you have not taken the steps to weatherize it properly, the fact is, your money is going out right through the roof. But, what are the best techniques to get this done? Many homeowners just aren’t aware of how to properly weatherize their homes, and due to this problem, they may not be able to see a big difference in their utility bills.

Enter the latest book in the Build Like a Pro series, Insulate and Weatherize – Expert Advice from Start to Finish. Whether you are completely new to getting your home ready for winter, or you are trying to find some new techniques to save even more money on your insulating efforts, this book is more than worth the cover price. You’ll be getting some incredible tips right here that will result in a big savings on energy.

The first chapter covers the absolute basics of home weatherizing and why it is so necessary. You’ll be learning about how heat transfer works, and how your home is losing a lot of energy without you even being aware of what is going on. The discussion on air quality is also very interesting and useful.

The next few chapters go into air leaks and ventilation systems, covering how to safely seal these leaks off, without comprising safety in your home. We particularly enjoyed the section on basement sealing, and these tips alone make the book more than worth the cover price. Chapter four covers basic insulation techniques, and from there, you’ll move into windows and heating systems.

The book even covers water systems, renovations and your everyday appliances and how to get the most out of your energy dollar. This is truly the definitive guide to saving money on home heating costs and learning how to effectively winterize your home. Many of these tips are also applicable for summer energy savings and we highly recommend following these tips, especially if you live in an area that gets quite warm in the summer.

All told, by simply following these directions, you should be able to get your home ready for any kind of weather, protect your investment and reduce your energy bills. That’s a recipe for success no matter how you look at it, and every homeowner should be reading this book for some great tips.

We recommend this to all homeowners, especially those that live in areas that are due for extreme cold. Simply taking the time to follow these instructions and implement these tips could result in significant savings. This book is one of the smartest investments you could ever make. As winter gets closer, it’s imperative to get your home ready, and there is no better time to buy this book.

Originally posted 2008-11-07 05:27:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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25 percent of a regular home electrical budget is sadly spent only on lighting as a result of using incandescent style light bulbs, which are wholly inefficient. Typical light bulbs can cost between 5 and 10 times their own cost in electricity despite their relatively short period of life. However, there are a number of alternatives to consider. One such alternative that is well worth considering is the CFL or Compact Fluorescent Light bulb, which is a miniature version of full-sized fluorescent lighting, and they are capable of screwing right into a traditional light fitting.

CFL bulbs tend to be approximately four times more efficient than a standard incandescent light bulb, and they are also quite capable of lasting as much as ten times as long. In other words, a 22 Watt Compact Fluorescent Light bulb is capable of offering the same amount of lighting as any ordinary 100w incandescent light bulb, but it will last for approximately 5 years instead. When you use an 18 watt Compact Fluorescent Light bulb in place of a 75w standard lighting fixture, you can save more than 55 kWh over the lifetime of the bulb, which offers significant savings over time, even more than the initial cost of the light bulb itself. Not only this, but you will also prevent half of a ton of Co2 from being pumped into our air and our atmosphere on the behalf of local power stations.

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are capable of being used in nearly every location where an incandescent light bulb can be used. However, you should know that the lifetime associated with a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb can be greatly reduced when it is used in an application where the light is switched on and off rather frequently. Also, there are some situations where a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb is unsuitable for use, such as for use as a spot light or use with a dimmer switch. In general, the best use for a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb is when lighting an entire room.

The concept of replacing every regular light bulb with a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb or CFL light bulb is a great one, but it is important to know that there are drawbacks just as there are advantages. For example, the average Compact Fluorescent Light bulb actually contains a total of 4mg of mercury, which is toxic. While this quantity of mercury is not a problem when the Compact Fluorescent Light bulb is used correctly, it is still something that you are going to want to consider when it comes to whether or not you are going to change out all of your standard light bulbs with new Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.

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Windows screens may look tough, but many times they are all too fragile. One small tear can mean a house filled with bugs, but thankfully, it’s easy enough to fix them if you have the right tools. Here’s a quick guide to replacing and repairing window screens that anyone can use. Before you get started, you’ll need to get a roll of screening material, or several, depending on the size of the project, as well as stripping, and a screening material tool. These materials can be purchased at most local hardware stores.

It is a good idea to measure your windows before you purchase the screening material to ensure that you are getting the right size. Most rolls of material are pretty standard in size, but if you have very large windows, you may need to custom order screens. The vast majority of windows can be fixed with this material however, and the rolls are usually inexpensive.

You’ll have a choice between fabric material as well as metal. If you have a problem with cats or other small animals hanging off of your screens, you may want to think about metal screening material. Be advised however that it can rust, and it is more difficult to work with. A good durable fabric can usually withstand most animals and will be much easier to install.

Now that you have all of your materials on hand, you’re ready to get started.

Step One –

Remove the screen from the window. Your screen will be in a small frame that can be lifted out of the whole window. Do this gently to avoid warping the frame. Most can be easily taken out, but if you have an older home, you may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the screen out.

Step Two –

Remove the old screening material. If you look closely at the screen frame, you should see some stripping that is holding the material in place. Find the end and gently pull the stripping out of the frame. If you don’t have new stripping, you’ll need to make sure that you keep the original intact. Once the stripping has been removed, simply pull the screen out and throw it away.

Step Three –

Cut the new material to fit. Take your roll of new screening material and roll it out over the screen frame. Leave a few inches on each side of the frame to ensure that you have enough material to work with and then cut off the material.

Step Four –

Center the material and install the stripping. Center your screening material over the frame, pick a corner and begin the process of putting the stripping back in. Tamp it down in one corner, and then use your screening tool to gently push the stripping back into the frame. Keep pulling the material tight as you do this to ensure a good fit. Once you go around all four corners, cut off any existing stripping and tuck the end in well.

Your screen is now ready to reinstall!

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Originally posted 2008-11-06 05:19:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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