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Want to Save Money on Your Energy Bill? These 6 Handyman Services Can Help!
Your energy costs can take a huge chunk out of your budget — in fact, it's the single biggest monthly expense in some households. Nobody wants to spend more than is necessary on their utility bill, but that's exactly what is happening if your home has fallen into disrepair and is in desperate need of professional handyman services.
Many homeowners are not even aware of how much money they are needlessly wasting every month. You may be concerned that there's not enough space in your budget for home repairs and maintenance, but there are a variety of services offered by professional handymen that can actually save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
This guide explains a list of handyman services available from professionals like Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County that can stop your home from bleeding energy and lower your monthly energy costs to a rate that is more comfortable for your bank account, while at the same time making you more comfortable in your own home. Our skilled handymen have years, and in some cases decades, of experience in repair trades, and they know exactly which handyman services could improve your home's energy efficiency — and your peace of mind.
1. Window & Exterior Door Services
A home's heating and cooling are by far the biggest expense on energy bills, even if a house is fully energy efficient — but when window frames and exterior door frames begin to degrade, they add extra expenses as HVAC systems work overtime and use more energy. Window and door frames, which are also called jambs, are typically made from wood, and that makes them vulnerable to wood rot. The rotting wood softens and crumbles apart, breaking the seal around the window or door and letting in air drafts that change the temperature inside the house.
Your HVAC system uses more and more energy trying to compensate for the drafts, which causes your utility bill to skyrocket. A handyman could repair frames, restore the seal by adding caulk or weatherstripping, and install new, energy-efficient replacement windows that will lower your monthly costs.
2. Soffit, Fascia, & Siding Repair
Siding is your home's first line of defense, its suit of armor. When it has suffered damage such as holes, cracks, gaps, and missing pieces, the house is subjected to the same issues with air drafts and moisture incursion that degraded window and door frames cause. That naturally lowers your efficiency, which is reflected on your utility bill. But it might also encourage the growth of mold and mildew inside your walls, and give rodent and insect pests a way into your home.
Soffit and fascia boards, which are two parts of your roof eaves, experience similar issues. Additionally, your soffit boards are ventilated, and if the vents are damaged or clogged, your attic won't rid itself of excess heat and humidity. That causes the air conditioner to work much harder in compensation, and it can also lead to wood rot in roof supporting beams. Handyman services that repair or replace your siding, soffits, and fascia to keep moisture and air drafts out will restore your home's efficiency too.
3. Drywall Repair
There's no drywall outside your house, so how does drywall damage cause energy loss? If you have holes or cracks in drywall, warm air is escaping inside your walls. Basically, you're paying for your HVAC system to heat the interior of your walls, and that's a big waste of money. It would be best to repair those issues. Handyman service from local drywall experts will take care of the entire repair process, including refinishing the wall so the repair is invisible. They’ll even rehang your framed photos and curtains for the finishing touches!
4. Gutter Cleaning & Repair
Most homeowners aren't exactly thrilled by the thought of spending hours up on a wobbly ladder, scooping handfuls of gross, rotten muck out of their rain gutters — but did you know that broken, overflowing gutters are a major cause of severe moisture damage problems that range from a leaking roof to a cracked foundation and everything in between?
Normally, gutters collect all the rainwater that falls on your roof and channel it away from the house where it shouldn’t harm anything. But when they're packed full of dead leaves and other debris, all that water has nowhere to go and pours down the exterior walls of your house instead, causing serious issues that can affect the structural stability of the building and greatly lower the energy efficiency. So, gutters don't directly affect utility costs, but indirectly they make a big difference.
The best way to avoid problems such as wood rot and moisture damage is with handyman services like regular gutter cleaning and maintenance. Mr. Handyman will get your gutters sparkling clean and repair any breaks or weak points while we're up on the ladder.
5. Water Heater Insulation
This one may be a bit surprising if you don't spend much time thinking about that tank lurking in your basement, but water heater insulation is one of the simple upgrades that can have a positive impact on your energy costs. Conventional water heaters use a lot of energy by constantly heating a huge tank of water so it's always (in theory) available when you turn on the tap. Handyman services could fix that power waste problem. Insulating your water heater involves fitting it with a stylish foil "jacket" that helps it to hold in the heat, so it doesn't have to use as much electricity to keep hot water on tap for you.
Bonus Tip: Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater
Most manufacturers set the default temperature to 140 degrees, but is that actually necessary? Of course, you want a nice hot bath — but you don't want to be scalded, which is why most people mix in cold water to get a more comfortable temperature. Lowering the temperature setting on your water heater by just 20 degrees will bring down your water heating costs and you'll still have water that is as hot or hotter than you'd want to use.
6. Porch Screen & Awning Installation
The utility-related benefits of porch screens and outdoor awnings may not be obvious, but deck shades can make a big difference, especially when they're installed on a side of your house that gets a lot of direct sunlight. When the sun is beating down on your exterior walls, it raises the temperature indoors and your air conditioner kicks in and starts churning out cool air. Handyman services for porch screen or awning installation could solve that problem.
By shading the exterior wall on the outside, you create a buffer that helps to prevent the house from heating up so fast in the sun and saves you money on your utility bill. As an added bonus, you'll have a nice shady place to enjoy the outdoors! A screened-in porch can even raise your property value, and you can sit outside without worrying that you'll be attacked by a cloud of buzzing mosquitoes.
Tired of High Power Bills? Our Handyman Services Can Lower Your Bill!
Whether you're in Fairfield, Stamford, Darien, or another part of Fairfield County CT, you can rely on the service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County for outstanding workmanship and superior customer service.
Pick up the phone and give us a call today at 866-550-1710 to make a request for services and find out more about how we can save you money and make your life easier!
