How to Turn Must-Do Home Improvements into Things of Beauty

    FORT MILL, SC, August 03, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When it comes to home improvement, you can spend money in two basic ways: on things that make your home look better and things that make it function better. Under the first category, you'll find all the things you want to do, like replacing narrow casement windows with a lovely bay window. Under the second, fall all the things you must do, like replacing drafty windows with something more energy-efficient.

When "want to" and "have to" meet, they create the opportunity to make a smart buying decision - and choose an upgrade that will look good and improve the livability of your home. The key to making smart home improvement decisions is to recognize these opportunities and take full advantage of them.

Here are a few "have to" improvements that have the potential to turn into a good-looking, energy-efficient, enjoyment enhancing "want to."

Replacing the hot water heater
You probably don't care what a new hot water heater looks like sitting in your garage or basement - or wherever it resides in your home. But the right replacement water heater can help your house achieve a lovely shade of green. High energy-efficiency water heaters can help reduce energy usage, thereby trimming your energy bills and your home's environmental impact. Solar water heating systems http://solar.veluxusa.com/solar/products take the beauty a step further by using the power of the sun, collected through roof-top low-profile solar panels from Velux America, to heat water - at a monthly savings that's about 80 percent less than the cost of traditional water heaters.

Getting some light in here
Do you really need a scientific study to tell you that a home filled with natural light just feels better? Probably not. Brightening your home with natural light is a smart buying decision on multiple levels. First, you don't pay to power the sun. Second, natural light delivers a host of mood-enhancing benefits. If you have the wall space, you can consider adding windows, but the ceiling is an open pallet just waiting to be utilized.

But for rooms where a window is impossible (like a powder room) or where you don't want to sacrifice privacy (like a master bathroom or a bedroom) a tubular skylight is a good alternative. Some, like Velux's Sun Tunnel products, can be easily installed in a couple of hours. They cost less than traditional skylights and bring natural light to hard-to-light areas like closets, hallways and other small spaces. Add a light kit, and you have a 24/7 light source.

Getting some air in here
Just as sunlight is good for your mood, fresh air and natural light are good for your health. An Energy Star-qualified no leak solar powered fresh air skylight (visit www.veluxusa.com) is a great way to passively vent stale, moist air from your home, especially from baths and kitchens, while bringing in fresh air. They operate by remote control and close automatically in case of rain. Adding solar powered blinds - controlled by the same remote unit - allows you to fine-tune the amount of sunlight your skylight admits. And blinds are not just functional and energy efficient - they are available in designer colors and patterns to complement your decor. No leak solar powered fresh air skylights and solar powered blinds, as well as installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. Compared to other venting solutions, a skylight is a relatively low-cost, great-looking way to enjoy more fresh air and natural light while adding drama to a space. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more.

When one door opens ...
Beat up, weathered garage and front doors not only look bad, they can be a source of air leaks that make your heating, ventilation and cooling system work harder. Exterior doors aren't something you buy every day, but they can have a big impact on how your home looks and on its energy efficiency. They can definitely be a smart buying decision if you opt for doors that not only look good, but also are highly rated for energy efficiency. If you're not sure how to choose, search online, where you'll find lots of guides for buying garage doors and front doors.

Media Contact:
Keith Hobbs - Business Services Associates, Inc. - 9413 Greenfield Drive -
Raleigh, NC 27615-2306 - Phone - 919.844.0064 - E-mail - [email protected]

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