5 Easy Summer Home Improvement Ideas

• Pressure-wash exteriors
• Install screens around your back porch
• Build a tree bench
• Refinish your deck
• Build a shed

1. Pressure-wash exteriors

Over time, dirt, grime, and mildew can build up on your home’s exterior, making it look dull and dingy. Pressure washing is an easy and effective way to bring back its original shine. Here’s how to get started:

• Rent or buy a pressure washer: If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from most hardware stores. Make sure to choose the right pressure setting to avoid damaging your siding.
• Choose the right detergent: Depending on your siding material (vinyl, wood, brick, etc.), use a suitable detergent. Many pressure washers come with recommendations.
• Stay safe: Wear protective gear, including goggles and gloves. Also, be mindful of the pressure washer’s force to avoid accidents. Tempted to cool down with a quick spray? Think again.
• Master the method: Start from the top and work your way down in a smooth, sweeping motion. This prevents streaks and ensures a thorough clean.

After a good wash, your home will look almost brand new, boosting its curb appeal significantly. Plus, your exteriors will dry faster thanks to the summer sun.

2. Install screens around your back porch

Porch screens are a good investment to enjoy your back porch all year round. Not only do they provide some temperature regulation, but screened porches also reduce the amount of bugs and other pests that can invade your outdoor space. Plus, if you have indoor pets, screened porches are a great way to safely give them a taste of the outdoors. As for the screen installation, it’s simpler than you might think. This guide has everything you need to know to handle this easy outdoor DIY project.

3. Build a bench

There’s nothing like relaxing in your own yard, watching the summer sunset with a cold drink in your hands. A bench strategically placed in the shade can take your relaxation to a new level. Building a bench is fairly easy, but of course, there are plenty of ready-made options out there if you’d rather not go the DIY route. You can make your bench as simple or as complicated as you want, but some basic materials you’ll need include wood (pine is a popular choice for outdoor furniture), screws, a drill, a circular saw, and a measuring tape.

Need some bench inspo? These popular styles offer options for every DIY skill level:

• Super simple wood bench
• Bench with storage
• Arbor bench

4. Refinish your deck

A well-maintained deck is perfect for summer BBQs, gatherings, or unwinding in solitude with a good beach read. If your deck is looking a bit worse for wear, refinishing it can make a world of difference. Here’s how:

• Clean thoroughly: Remove any debris and give your deck a good scrub with a deck cleaner.
• Sand the surface: Use a power sander to smooth out any rough spots and remove old finish. This will also help the new stain adhere better.
• Apply stain: Choose a stain that suits your deck’s wood type. Apply it evenly with a brush or roller, following the grain of the wood.
• Seal the deal: Once the stain is dry, apply a sealant to protect your deck from moisture and UV rays.

Pro Tip: Don’t have a deck? Here’s how to build one: How to Build a Deck.

5. Build a shed

Building a shed is a great storage solution and summer home improvement project to consider, and potential buyers down the line are sure to appreciate the addition. Here’s a simplified outline to get you started:

• Plan and permit: Check local regulations for permits. Design your shed based on your needs and space.
• Choose your foundation: Choose between a concrete slab or a gravel base. Make sure it’s level and sturdy.
• Frame the shed: Construct the walls and roof using treated lumber. Assemble them on the ground and then raise them into place.
• Install siding and roof: Use weather-resistant materials for the siding and roofing. Ensure everything is properly sealed.
• Add doors and windows: Install your doors and windows, making sure they are weatherproofed.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a simple shed with minimal customizations, you can also purchase pre-built sheds at most hardware stores.

Financing your summer home improvement ideas

Did you know that your mortgage can actually help you finance your summer home improvement ideas? In addition to renovation loans like FHA 203(k), Cardinal Financial offers EasyPath Renovation. This program is designed for small-scale renovations like the projects discussed above. In a nutshell, you can combine it with a renovation loan and complete your projects through a major retailer like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards. You can find the full breakdown on EasyPath here. Happy renovating!

Home improvements aren’t just a fun way to spend the extra hours of summer daylight—they can also boost your home’s value and increase curb appeal.

The post 5 Summer Home Improvement Ideas to Try This Season appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

8 weeks before you move

If you’re going the professional mover route, it’s important to book your movers as far in advance as possible before they’re full for the summer. Booking early also means you’ll have a better chance of beating the heat with a morning move time.

• Take inventory of your stuff. What are you keeping? What are you selling/donating? What needs to be thrown out? 
• Arrange moving transportation, whether that’s a friend’s pickup truck or professional movers.
• Transfer school and vet records if needed. Getting your human and fur babies to the new place is only half the battle.

Pro Tip: If you’re booking movers, they’ll ask for a detailed inventory of your belongings to provide the most accurate estimate of your moving costs. This is also how they determine what size truck they’ll be bringing to move your stuff, so don’t lowball it. In addition to your furniture, use this guide to give your movers an estimate of how many boxes you’ll have come moving day.

6 weeks before you move

Before you buy packing supplies, think strategically about how soft items (like towels and bedding) can be packed with more fragile items to minimize how many supplies you’ll need. Plus, it’s great for the environment.

• Buy packing supplies (more than you think you’ll need).
• Remember that casserole that’s been sitting in your freezer? Time to use it or lose it.
• Measure your new space to make sure your furniture will fit. No sense lugging a dresser across state lines only to find that it won’t fit through your new doors.

4 weeks before you move

• Packing time! Make your life easier by setting aside a box of items you’ll be using up until the day of the move.
• Disassemble furniture you’re not using. Your movers will likely do this anyway, but nobody cares for your furniture like you can.
• Label your boxes. Your future self will thank you when it’s time to unpack.
• Change your address and update your billing information once USPS has processed your request.

Pro Tip: Packing early isn’t just important for saving you last-minute complications. If you have pets, seeing their home packed up gradually gives them more time to adjust to the change, rather than everything they’re familiar with disappearing overnight. You can find more helpful tips for moving with pets here.

2 weeks before you move

These next two weeks will fly by. As you get closer to moving day, it’s time to tackle all those moving tasks that fall outside of the actual moving process, like car maintenance, requesting time off from work, and more.

• Submit your workplace PTO requests for moving day (or week, moving is stressful) if needed.
• Make sure your car is ready for the trip. Even if it’s just across town, it’s one less thing to worry about on moving day.
• Confirm moving day details with your mover (or friend with a truck). Where can they park? Is it a gated community that they’ll need a code to enter? What time are they arriving? What form of payment is preferred?
• Schedule utility account transfers for your move-in day (electric, internet, gas, and water are the big four).

Week of your move

It’s almost time! In the week before your move, make sure your payment for your movers is ready to go and that your billing address has been updated on all relevant accounts.

• Refill prescriptions if you have them.
• If you have pets, update the address associated with their microchips.
• Defrost your freezer if it’s moving with you.
• Get cash to tip your movers (or buy your friends a round).
• Remember that box of items you’re still using? On the day of your move, tape it up and add it to the stack for your movers to handle.

Bonus items for your summer moving checklist

Even if you’re not doing the literal heavy lifting on moving day, the summer heat is no joke. Consider adding these items to your summer moving checklist to keep things cool.

• Stock a cooler with cold beverages so you’ll have hydration on hand while transitioning between your old fridge and your new one.
• Turn off the AC but keep a fan going while movers are coming in and out to avoid wasting energy.
• If you have pets that need to be kept in a separate area while movers are in the home, make sure that space has plenty of ventilation and cool water (and shade if it’s outdoors).
• Don’t forget to celebrate. Moving is a big deal!

Since summer is peak moving season, it’s important to book your movers as far in advance as possible before they’re full.

The post Summer Moving Checklist: How to Nail Your Warm-Weather Move appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

5 Summer Home Energy-Saving Tips

• Upgrade your window treatments
• Install a smart thermostat
• Replace air filters
• Caulk gaps around windows and doors
• Use power strips

Upgrade your window treatments

Only the good kind of shade here. During hot months, window treatments such as blinds, shades, and curtains can help reduce sun exposure in your home, keeping temperatures from spiking indoors. Reflective or light-colored window treatments are particularly effective in reflecting sunlight away. This reduces the need for air conditioning, leading to lower energy consumption and costs.

Install a smart thermostat

Smart home features are everywhere these days, and one perk of a smart thermostat is that it can sync with smart devices you already have. More importantly, smart thermostats can significantly reduce energy consumption by learning your schedule and preferences to optimize heating and cooling. They can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not home or when you’re asleep, leading to lower energy bills. Some models also provide energy usage reports so you can monitor and manage your consumption more effectively. 

Some smart thermostats even offer advanced features like zoning, where you can set different temperatures for different rooms or areas in your home. They can also provide real-time weather updates and adjust settings accordingly.

Replace air filters

A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain your ideal temperature. This increased strain can lead to higher energy consumption and utility bills. When you replace air filters regularly, your HVAC system operates more efficiently. Plus, replacing air filters is essential to maintaining the air quality in your home. Allergies? We don’t know them.

Caulk gaps around windows and doors

Proper insulation is important year-round, not just during the summer. Doors and windows are common sources of air leaks, where conditioned air from inside your home can escape, and outside air can enter. This exchange forces your heating and cooling systems to work harder to maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Caulking these gaps and cracks reduces the workload on your HVAC system and conserves energy.

Use power strips

Just because a device is turned off doesn’t mean it isn’t using energy. Many electronic devices and appliances continue to draw power if you leave them plugged in, even when they’re turned off. Power strips can cut off power completely to these devices when they’re not in use. It might seem like a small difference in energy consumption, but it can lead to significant savings over time.

Many power strips also come with built-in overload protection, which can help prevent electrical fires and damage to your devices. By protecting your electronics from power surges and overloads, power strips can contribute to the longevity and efficiency of your appliances. In the long run, this saves energy and reduces waste from having to purchase new devices more frequently.

Bonus summer home energy-saving tips

Some summer home energy-saving tips will yield more savings than others, but every little bit helps. If you’re looking for some additional ways to trim costs this season, here are some bonus strategies to try. 

• Wash laundry with cold water
• Save tasks like laundry and cooking for cooler hours of the day
• If you have a pool, keep it covered when not in use
• Switch to LED lightbulbs
• Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees

Don’t forget that being comfortable in your home matters just as much as your budget. If you need to turn the thermostat down a few degrees, don’t sweat it.

Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is never a bad idea, especially when it means you could save on your utility bills during the hot summer months.

The post The Best Summer Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

Switching to solar power could significantly lower your energy bills.

So why aren’t more people going solar? And how can solar panels save you money?

So long, stigma

Let’s start with the way they look. Solar panels get a bad reputation for looking out-of-place, unsightly, and sometimes too futuristic on the average home. Homeowners want curb appeal and charm—giant, dark panels on the roof can completely destroy that warm, homely appearance.

Solar panels came out ahead of their time. On one hand, it’s a good thing there is a wave of young, Millennial home buyers who desire minimalist characteristics that are modern, sleek, and simple, like clean lines and smart-home technological capabilities. For home buyers like these, solar panels are looking more and more relevant. On the other hand, you’ve got incredible pioneers like Tesla’s Elon Musk, who’s designed the Solar Roof made of up energy-capturing shingles in three cozy styles. Now that looks more like it!

Note that if you have an HOA, you should check the bylaws before you get in too deep. We wouldn’t want you to go through the process of buying and installing only to receive a notice from your HOA that they’re not allowed.

Just like any other technology, solar panels are evolving and improving in form and function. They’re looking thinner and less obtuse—more attractive to the picky homeowner. And while they’re improving in aesthetic, they’re also advancing in technology. Engineers are working on increasing solar cell efficiency, which describes how well a solar panel can convert the sun’s rays into electricity. Now, homeowners can and should opt for solar panels with higher efficiency ratings, because a high-efficiency solar panel can produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size, when existing under the same conditions.

Most solar panels are only 14–18% efficient, but the best solar panels will peak around 22% efficiency. Those numbers may seem low, but for a solar panel, that’s extremely efficient. If you’re doing research on solar panels, efficiency numbers will always be low because of the laws of physics—you can’t harness 100% of the sun’s rays using photovoltaics. That’s why the maximum amount of sunlight that PV solar systems can capture is about 33.7%, making 22% efficiency pretty sweet.

A little education on the advancements being made in the appearance and technology of solar panels and perhaps more homeowners would consider them… Unless they’re too expensive.

Cheaper than you think

The truth is, electricity isn’t getting any cheaper and homeowners all over the country are looking for ways to save money on utilities. We already know that people in some places in the U.S. are saving $40–$200 every month by switching to solar power. So how do we get more homeowners on board?

The problem is that many homeowners automatically assume that buying solar panels will be outrageously expensive and installing them will be a huge hassle. But that’s just not the case anymore. As demand for solar panels has increased, their cost has decreased. In fact, since 1998, the cost of solar panels on the average American home has dropped by nearly 70%. And you don’t have to install them yourself. There are many acclaimed companies across the country who will give you a quote and install them on your roof just like any other paid service.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy solar panels, but you can’t afford them outright, don’t stress. Although up-front purchase gives you the instant payback of lower energy bills and no interest fees, financing for solar panels exists! And some companies will even let you take out a loan for your solar panels with no up-front costs.

Tax incentives

If the affordability factor isn’t compelling enough, the tax incentives should be. The Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit program is a government program that allows American homeowners with solar panels to claim a qualified Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) of 30%! All you have to do is fill out a form and see if you qualify.

If you’re a first-time home buyer, your real estate agent can probably connect you with information about solar companies that other residents in the area have used, and give you information about solar energy tax incentives available to you for your desired home. Plus, using a simple Google search, all the reputable solar companies in your area will have the form on their site for you to fill out and see if your home qualifies.

Save money, save the planet

Not only can solar panels save you money, make you eligible for tax incentives, and increase the value of your home, solar energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy in the world. And looking at the long-term benefits of switching to solar, it might be a wise financial investment for you and your family.

The post Hot This Summer: Solar Panels Save You Money appeared first on Cardinal Financial.