Whether you’re considering a minor DIY project or a major remodel, there are several ways you can get your Allen, Texas, home ready for spring and summer weather. From updating your home’s lighting to installing an outdoor living space, improve your home’s indoor comfort with these nine redecorating projects.
Tighten Your Building Envelope
Tightening your home’s building envelope might not sound like a glamorous redecorating project, but it’s one that can pay off substantially in the long run. It’s also a project that can significantly improve your family’s comfort while at home, since a tighter building envelope gives you more control over the temperature and humidity levels inside.
If you live in an older home, chances are it was built to breathe, which means outdoor air enters through various cracks, holes, and leaks. The levels of airborne contaminants and outdoor pollution in your home might be just as bad as those outside.
Start addressing these problematic areas by weatherstripping windows and doorframes and by sealing cracks around your home’s foundation. Add more insulation to bare areas in the attic in order to keep conditioned air inside and outdoor air outside.
Brighten Your Lighting
If you’ve been relying on the same old-fashioned light bulbs for decades, you’re missing out on contemporary light bulb technology. Replace your traditional bulbs with new halogen incandescent or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. CFLs are great replacements for traditional bulbs since they offer similar light levels and color ranges. Halogen incandescent bulbs are highly efficient bulbs that come in a number of shapes and hues, so you can add them to just about any light fixture, even those with dimmer switches.
Not only can new lights change the way you see your home, but they can also make it more comfortable. The traditional incandescent bulbs that you’re used to are energy hogs, and a surprising 90 percent of the energy they consume simply turns into heat. Switch to the new energy-efficient bulbs now, and not only will you save on energy costs for the lights themselves, but you’ll also save on cooling costs.
Install Ceiling Fans
When the first heat wave of the year arrives in the late spring, it’s so easy just to turn on your air conditioner to fight the heat. While this is a quick and easy solution, turning your air conditioner on full blast can lead to excessive energy consumption and high utility bills over the course of the season.
Rather than relying on just an air conditioner, consider installing ceiling fans in your home. While these devices won’t actually cool your home, they will certainly create the illusion of cool. Their slight wind chill effect makes any room feel a few degrees cooler, which means you can hold off on turning on the air conditioner a little longer. Ceiling fans also work well in conjunction with an air conditioner, since they allow you to dial back the temperature a few additional degrees while still staying cool as a cucumber.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it’s probably getting closer to being due for a replacement. Newer systems offer impressive advances in efficiency, usability, and comfort. In fact, a brand new air conditioner might make your house feel like a whole new home. Units with Energy Star certification go above and beyond, either meeting or exceeding national standards for energy efficiency.
In addition to basic functions, many new HVAC systems work seamlessly with additional indoor air quality components. If your home constantly struggles with issues like high humidity or stale air, for instance, a whole-home dehumidifier or a ventilation system can drastically increase your comfort level. Consider adding an air cleaner to your HVAC system to breathe easier and feel healthier.
Make Your Thermostat More Intelligent
If you haven’t yet upgraded to a programmable or smart thermostat, this is one of the most intelligent redecoration projects you can take on. A basic programmable thermostat gives you the ability to program comfortable temperatures while the family is home to enjoy them, and it allows you to dial back the settings while you’re asleep or out for several hours. If your family has a regular schedule, a programmable thermostat keeps you comfortable by automatically turning on, right on cue.
Take your HVAC system to the next level by upgrading to a smart thermostat. These devices can do the same things programmable thermostats can do and much more. They connect to Wi-Fi and adjust interior temperatures to account for outside conditions. They also allow you to log on and change the settings from virtually anywhere, so your home is just right every time.
Redecorate Your Windows
Windows do much more than let in light. They also allow heat to pass through or escape, which impacts your home’s temperature in the spring and summer. While you can certainly switch leaky old windows out for new double-paned ones, you can also undertake smaller changes that will make a big difference.
Install interior blinds to keep unwanted heat out while still allowing light in. Closed blinds can reduce a window’s heat gain by 45 percent, which can drastically improve your family’s comfort in the summer. Curtains offer similar benefits, as closed medium-weight versions can reduce heat gain by as much as 33 percent. Outside, installing awnings over particularly sunny windows can reduce heat gain by a whopping 77 percent on windows that face west.
Set the Scene With Houseplants
If your home is sorely lacking in the leafy green department, try introducing one, two, or a dozen houseplants. Choose from frilly ferns, spiky cacti, or colorful blooms. Not only will these living plants breathe new life into your home, but many also have the ability to improve the indoor air quality in your home.
You might already keep a pot of aloe vera in your home for its healing properties, but this green plant also helps to absorb benzene, a volatile organic chemical (VOC) that some household cleaners emit. For a sophisticated yet functional plant, go for the peace lily, which can absorb mold spores and keep humid spaces like bathrooms much healthier. If ferns are more your style, opt for the frilly Boston fern, which can eliminate chemicals like formaldehyde from your home’s air supply. Some of these plants can also add moisture into the air, similar to a low-level humidifier.
Add Some Area Rugs
Laminate and hardwood floors are easy to clean and feel smooth under your feet, but they’re not always ideal for overall comfort. Despite the Texas heat, smooth floors often absorb the cold breeze from your air conditioner and feel uncomfortably cold underfoot.
Sprucing up your space with area rugs is a stylish way to make a statement while putting your family first. Since not all area rugs are created the same, start the selection process by inspecting stitch count. Rugs with more loops, or a higher stitch count, offer better insulation and greater comfort. Materials can also make or break an area rug, and wool is one of the most durable and best at insulating. Finally, factor size into your selection process and opt for larger rugs or a few coordinating rugs that cover a large surface area and offer superior comfort.
Create an Enticing Outdoor Living Space
Cooking in a hot kitchen doesn’t sound like much fun during a warm Texas spring. When you move things outdoors and set up a grill, though, preparing meals as a family becomes a party, even on a sweltering summer day.
Take your basic grill setup to the next level by constructing an all-purpose outdoor living space. Let your imagination run as wild as your budget will allow, and create an extension of your home right out the back door. This can include everything from an elaborate garden, an outdoor kitchen, or a living room. As an added bonus, when your family acclimates to the warm outdoor temperatures, you can scale back your air conditioning efforts inside the house, without missing a beat or an ounce of comfort.
Along with other remodeling projects, upgrading your HVAC system or adding related components can have a substantial impact on your indoor comfort. Call the HVAC professionals at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating to learn more about your options: 888-414-4655.
