Home Improvements In Winter

5 Winter Home Improvements for Less Than $1,000

It’s important to prepare a home for the cold weather ahead. And, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this.

Following are winter home improvements that home owners can do for less than $1,000:

#1 HEATING

It’s that time of the year again. Your home has to be properly heated in preparation for the low temperatures this season.

Proper heating not only makes your home more comfortable to stay in during winter, it can also help you save on energy bills.

For this article however, we will focus on your water heater.

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $826 – gas water heater with 50 gallon tank, typically used in a 5 person home, including vent and pipe?.

Prices range from:

• ?$639 – electric water heater with 40 gallon tank, typically used in a four-person home
• $1,077 – gas tankless water heater, 6.4 GPM for 2 baths, including vent and pipe

#2 FLOORINGDuring winter, people come in and out of your home tracking in all types of debris — which can do a lot of damage to your hardwood floors.

Snow and water in particular, can be absorbed by wood.

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $2.8 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers

Prices range from:

• $2.50 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers
• $3.50 per square foot – sanding of the existing floor and the application of sealers

#3 WINDOW INSTALLATIONS

Keeping your home warmer during winter entails high energy consumption.

However, if you have energy efficient windows you can reduce your energy consumption

Average Cost:

Typical cost is about: $943 – vinyl casement window replacement

Prices range from:

• $691 – vinyl casement window replacement – DIY
• $1,290 – vinyl casement window replacement – upgraded

#4 ELECTRIC

As winter approaches, your electric bill rises. This is due to several factors:

• Lights stay on longer because of shorter days and longer nights;
• Extra hot water is used for warm baths and showers;
• Because people stay indoors longer during winter, electric equipment such as computers, TVs, DVD ?players and gaming consoles are used more often;
• The clothes dryer is used more often.

Average Cost:

1. For Electric Range Circuit

Typical cost is about: $202 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

• $ 76 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY
• $393 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor conduit upgrade

2. For Electric Outlet Circuit

Typical cost is about: $153 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

• $27 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY
• $292 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor with conduit upgrade

3. For Electric Dryer Circuit

Typical cost is about: $179 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable

Prices range from:

• $53 – 30 foot circuit, exposed cable – DIY

• $333 – 30 foot circuit, outdoor with conduit upgrade

#5 DOORS

Most home owners choose wood doors for its aesthetics.

It provides a good blend of elegance and strength and they can be very affordable depending on the type and quality of wood.

However, wood needs to be treated regularly with paint or varnish so that it will be protected from wind, rain and snow.

Neglecting to do so would cause rotting.

For most people, the most practical choice for the winter season would be a fiberglass or steel door.

Installation of Fiberglass/Steel Door

Fiberglass and Steel are energy­ efficient and common low­ maintenance choices for exterior door material.

Average Cost:

The average exterior door costs range from:

1. For Fiberglass Doors:?Typical cost is about: $679 – exterior fiberglass door replacement

Prices range from:

• $463 – exterior fiberglass door replacement – DIY
• $1,537 – exterior fiberglass door replacement – upgraded

2. For Steel Doors:

Typical cost is about: $ 613 – exterior steel door replacement

• $397 – exterior steel door replacement – DIY
• $871 – exterior steel door replacement – upgraded

Home improvements can be done all year round it all depends on what you want to tackle and what time of the year.

Thanks for reading!

Good luck on your next round of home improvements