Don’t let cooler temperatures discourage you from winter home improvement projects. Spending the cold months of the year indoors gives you time to tackle much-needed updates. You’ll increase the value of your property and make your home more attractive and comfortable. Here are a few maintenance items and projects that can easily be completed in the winter.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat gives you the ability to set the temperature for different times of the day, like when you are sleeping and when you’re away from home. Creating custom settings will help you save money year-round. It is fairly simple to install a new thermostat and should only take a few minutes.
Replace Worn Carpeting
Winter is a good time to improve your flooring. Replace the old worn carpet that has been there since you moved in. Measure your room to get the exact number of square feet needed to cover each area you’ll be updating. Don’t forget the entryways when measuring room size. Carpeting can be laid by one person, but the job is made easier with someone to help. Carrying the heavy carpet and stretching it to fit the corners is easier with two people.
If your budget allows, replace carpeting with hard flooring material like wood or tile to further increase your home’s value.
Clean and Organize the Basement as Part of Your Winter Home Improvement
How long have you been saying that you are going to clean the basement? Tidying up and creating places to store items keeps your home neat and free of clutter. Install shelving for added storage space. Use labeled bins to organize your belongings. Store bicycles and other bulky items on hooks vertically to take up less space in your garage.
For Winter Home Improvement, Seal Around Doors and Windows
If you haven’t already checked the condition of your weatherstripping, take an afternoon to do so. Remove and replace any cracked or missing pieces. Weatherstripping placed around doors and windows helps stop drafts. Tiny cracks and spaces around windows and doors allow warm air to escape. Sealing these cracks will keep heated air in and cold air out.
Test Your Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are your first warning in case of a house fire. They are especially important if you use a fireplace to heat your home. The change of seasons is a great time to test your smoke detectors. Check the batteries and if they haven’t been changed in several months, install new ones.
Replace Light Bulbs
If you have light bulbs that need to be replaced, invest in newer, energy-efficient LED lighting. Since you’re replacing the bulbs anyway, you might as well upgrade them. LED bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent light bulbs. You’ll save energy and money with new light bulbs.
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