Fall Into Your Home Spruce Up

 After the pool toys and picnic baskets have been put away, it's time to head inside. As you look around your home you may see that a busy schedule of summer pool parties and neighborhood barbecues have taken their toll on the aesthetics of your home. With the promise of cool weather, calm earth tones and the aroma of warm soups and baked goods, it's time to fall into your home spruce up.

 Two of the most common concerns for refreshing the home for fall are creating a fresh look and saving money. An enjoyable, comfortable space doesn't require back-breaking labor or thousands of dollars. The first step is to clean and de-clutter. This is a clear path to success and is virtually cost free. Getting this done is motivation to complete other projects, whether making your kitchen pie-baking ready or winterizing your home from Old Man Winter.

 Handyman Matters has put together these tips for helping you prepare your home for the fall and winter!

 Before company knocks at your door, start with the busiest room in the home -- the kitchen.

 From dessert baking to family gossiping -- the kitchen is the hot spot for the whole season and needs to be kicked up a notch. Whether adding a new coat of paint, updating old appliances or installing a new backsplash, a few simple touch-ups can make a world of difference. For instance, affordable, decorative backsplash panels are available at most home improvement stores in a variety of colors. A fresh coat of paint can brighten a room, giving it an updated and clean look that is perfect for the changing seasons. If you don't have time to do this yourself, call on the professionals at Handyman Matters.

 Winterizing Your Home

 Now that your home looks warm and cozy, keep Jack Frost from nipping at your wallet by winterizing your home. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, each year the United States looses nearly $13 billion worth of energy in the form of heated or cooled air escapes through holes and cracks.

 Novice and experienced do-it-yourselfers alike can benefit from a short list of adjustments in the home. Form an air seal and reduce drafts by adhering foam insulation board to wall sheathing in attic areas or roof sheathing. Next install garage door floor seals to lessen cold air intrusion. Adhering with a professional-grade construction adhesive eliminates the need to drive fasteners into the concrete flooring.

 More importantly, do not forget the staples of fall winterizing. Change furnace or heater filters once a month. Dust and dirt can clog vital parts making your furnace work harder. Heating systems should be inspected regularly before the start of the season. An annual tune-up can reduce your heating costs up to 5 percent. Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room. Call your local Handyman Matters for more winterization tips, or to have one of our professionals perform our winterization check-list to help you save on your energy bills this winter.

 If your home has doors with worn out weather stripping or door sweeps, windows and doors with gaps, old windows, and/or unsealed entry points around pipes and ducts... it’s like throwing money out the window. In fact, your energy bill could be up to 20% higher than it should be.

 Call Handyman Matters to winterize your home today. Here are a few things we can do to help keep your energy bills lower – call the professionals today:

• Adding or replacing worn weather-stripping around doors
• Caulking gaps around windows
• Replacing worn door sweeps
• Replacing old windows
• Sealing entry points for all pipes and ducts… And Much More!

 With your fall spruce up complete, everyone will enjoy the warm, comfy environment that you have created. Sit back and enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie knowing your family and pocketbook are protected from impending cold weather. Handyman Matters can help you get your home ready for the holidays and rush of family and friends. Enjoy your time together knowing your home is taken care of. Call the professionals today!

  Courtesy of ARAcontent