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2020 is here! You may already have your New Year’s resolutions in mind, but it’s also good to make room for some more. Apart from improving yourself, you should also consider improving your home. By enhancing your home’s features, you can ensure comfort, boost curb appeal, save on energy bills, and make living more convenient.
Today, Renewal by Andersen® of Knoxville, the leading window replacement contractor in the area, shares certain home upgrades to consider for 2020.
Switch to a Better Thermostat
Your thermostat is the interface to your heating and cooling equipment that ensures correct temperatures. It might be time to upgrade it if it shows signs of inefficiency. It could already be unresponsive or failing to the point that your HVAC system is stopping and starting repeatedly or overshooting your target temperatures.
Consider a programmable thermostat as a replacement. It allows you to preset your HVAC system to settings to your exact comfort specifications without wasting energy. You can set your thermostat to certain temperatures during certain periods of the day, whether during waking hours or when everyone is away.
Add a Mudroom
Whether it involves heavy or light construction, a mudroom addition can instantly boost your home’s functionality as it allows for better organization. It is more than just a secondary entrance next to your front entry—it is an area where you can store your footwear, outerwear, and other random items on shelves and other forms of storage.
A lot of design options are available that you may find attractive. Whether it has a window or not, no matter how large or small it is, you must make sure your mudroom plan can keep your belongings easily accessible and well-organized.
Replace Old Windows
Your current windows can’t talk, but they show signs when something is not right. Broken glass, worn-out weatherstripping, and difficult operation are some of the more apparent ones, but your windows are already inefficient if you don’t feel comfortable whenever you are at home. Old windows can lose up to 40% of heating energy in winter and up to 50% of cooling energy in summer.
Fortunately, upgrading to energy-efficient replacement windows is one of the best ways to reduce energy costs. Thanks to advances in window manufacturing, you can find double hung windows that have special coatings on the glass to reflect UV rays away from your home and protect your interior from fading. Also, today’s high-quality replacement windows are more durable and easier to clean and maintain.
Add More Living Space
Your bare outdoors can benefit from the addition of a deck or patio to create an entirely new living space. The good thing about this is that you can plan this for the whole year, from setting up the budget to choosing the start date. The fall of this year is the best time to get this going since the season’s predictable weather forecast makes it easier for the pros to build a deck or patio.
Update Light Fixtures
Your interior and exterior lighting fixtures could also use an update, especially if those have been in operation for many years now. Start with your entryway, working your way into the various areas of your home. Consider switching to LED light bulbs, as well—these are a more eco-friendly option and can help you save on electricity consumption. Of course, turning off the lights when they are not in use or when you are away is a good habit to start this year.
Start your year with a new and improved home. For your window replacement needs, turn to Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville. Our experienced design consultants can help you choose from a wide selection of beautiful, energy-efficient windows, from casement windows to picture windows.
Call us today at (865) 588-2508 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home consultation. Our Tennessee service areas include Knoxville, TN, and the surrounding areas.