Keep the Heat in and the Cold out while saving some money!

Keep Warm and Save on Your Energy Bill This Winter Season

The weather is changing and temperatures are dropping!  That snow and ice has already hit some places pretty hard this year and we have more to come.  Yes, you can stay warm by layering your clothes, covering up in blankets or turning your heat way up, but that doesn't help with your electric bill.  Here are some tips to help you not only keep your home nice and toasty, but save you some money as well.

1. Check Your Heating System.

Be sure to check your air filter as well as all of the ducts in your house.  A clean air filter will reduce the amount of energy used to make your heater work and will reduce the amount of dust in your home.  When taking the filter out, it would be a good idea to use a handheld vacuum to clean up some of the excess dust that didn't stick to the filter.  Vacuum out the ducts as well and seal any loose connections with metal-backed tape.

2.  Don't let your pipes freeze.

When the temperature outside drops below freezing, you have the risk of your pipes freezing and possibly bursting.  To help prevent this, be sure to cover any exposed pipes with foam rubber sleeves that you can find at your local home improvement stores.  Pay special attention to any pipes that are in an insulated basement or a crawl space under your house.    

3.  Seal Any Leaks or drafts. 

Check for any places where cold air could be seeping in.  Seal all of your windows inside and out with caulking.  You can purchase temporary silicon caulk that will break loose easily when you are ready to open your windows in the spring.  You can also place draft guards on your doors to keep that cold air out.  Or maybe its time to replace those windows and doors, call your Lake of the Ozarks home repair guys at All-Star!

4.  Turn On Your Fans.

You may think fans are supposed to cool your home, and that is the purpose during the summer. However, they can also be used during the winter months to keep the warm air down.  You know that hot air rises and by reversing your fans, the blades will push the air down keeping the warmth at your level and in circulation.  A trick to knowing if your fan is set for winter, the blades will be moving clockwise.

5.  Close Off Unused Space.

Do you have any rooms in your house that don't get used very often?  Maybe a spare bedroom or a home office.  If so, close off those areas, shut the vents in those rooms and close the doors.  This will keep your warm air where you are and your heater won't have to work as hard to keep the entire house heated.

6. Take Advantage of Cooking. 

With the cold weather comes the holiday season, which typically means a lot of cooking and baking. Your oven can be used as a heat source; while you are cooking, lower your thermostat. This will help save on your electric bill and you can still stay warm!

So if you are one of those people that piles 5 blankets on at night because you don't want to pay a high electric bill, don't fret anymore.  You can keep warm without spending a fortune by following these simple tips.  While preparing you home for the winter, if you find any issues that you can't fix yourself, give All-Star Home Renovations a call!  We do siding, roofing, windows, doors and more!


Follow our blog for advice on remodels at the Lake of the Ozarks, minor home repairs and improvements, tips to improve the value of your home, and so much more.

All-Star Home Renovations serves the entire Lake of the Ozarks area. We can handle everything from your most complex home improvement and remodeling projects to the simplest.

All-Star Renovations has 25 years experience and is fully insured!

• Kitchen Remodels
• Bathroom Remodels
• Deck Additions
• Siding, Roofing, Windows & Doors
• Tile & Flooring Installation
• Screened Room Additions
• Custom Trim Finish Work
• ... and so much more!

Request a free estimate on your next project!

Serving the Entire Lake of the Ozarks Area

Adam : 573-286-2569
adam@all-star-renovations.com

Jay: 573-480-4757
jay@all-star-renovations.com

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5 Simple Ways to Spruce Up Your Exterior for the Holidays

Have the Best Decorations on the Block Without Breaking the Bank

Driving down the street this time of year, you see house after house glowing with Christmas lights.  Or here at the Lake of the Ozarks you could say Dock after Dock.  You think to yourself, “How can I make my house stand out this holiday season?”  Everyone thinks to hang Christmas lights, but there are many other ways to show your holiday spirit.  Check out these 5 simple ways to spruce up the exterior of your home this holiday season.

1. Hang a Christmas Wreath. 

You can easily purchase a Christmas wreath at your local store or small town thrift shop.  Or even better, make your own!  Pinecones and candy canes work great to make a wreath; then decorate it with simple Christmas items such as garland, mini ornaments, snowflakes and ribbon.  Many of these items, if not already lying around your house, can be found for $1 or less.  Now hang it on your door for the world to see!

2. Light Up Your Walkway.

Not only can lights along your walkway or driveway help decorate your home, they can also get you to your front door safely.  With the snow and ice, it only takes one wrong step and you could slip.  Having your walkway lit up can prevent you or your holiday guests from taking a fall.  If you don’t want to have an open flame, an alternative would be to purchase battery-operated luminaries to set along the walkway.  You can buy pillar size candles and wrap them in garland.  Or you can fill various glass containers with tea light sized candles and small Christmas items such as mini ornaments. 

3. Wrap a Garland Around Your Door.

Garland is another simple way to make your entryway more inviting this holiday season.  Grab a garland from your local store and decorate it with pinecones, ornaments and more.  Choose colors that match your door, red ornaments for a red door or blue for a blue door.  The garland can be easily hung with self-adhesive hooks. If you have pillars or railings on your porch or deck, you can wrap the garland around them as well. 

4. Fill Planters with Christmas Decor.

Planters have more uses than just holding your plants.  You can fill them with practically anything to accentuate the entrance to your home.  During the holiday season, think about placing some large plastic candy canes in a planter.  You could even create a “burning bush” by coiling up Christmas lights on top of soil in a planter and inserting branches to create a glowing sensation.  If you already have a planter with a plant in it, consider decorating the plant with lightweight items such as ornaments.  Make sure that the planter is positioned to where the wind won’t blow your decorations away!

5. Liven Up Your Window Sills.

Placing small shrubs in your window planters are a great Christmas alternative to the typical spring flowers found in window sills.  You can add lights and wire Christmas decor for a more festive look.  Or decorate the inside and let it shine out, place candles along the window sills to light up your windows at night.  Place Christmas decorations above the candles and they will illuminate with the flames of the candles.  Window decorations will not only look good to those passing by, but you can admire your work from inside your home as well.    

Now your house will be ready for all your holiday visitors.  Many of these simple decorating ideas can be made from old Christmas decorations you have lying around the house or can be found inexpensively at dollar stores.  Family and friends will think you spent a fortune trying to be the best decorated house on the block.  Spread the holiday cheer, not only inside your home, but out!

Follow our blog for advice on remodels, minor home repairs and improvements, tips to improve the value of your home, and so much more.

All Star Home Renovations serves the entire Lake of the Ozarks area. We can handle everything from your most complex home improvement and remodeling projects to the simplest.

All Star Renovations has 25 years experience and is fully insured!

• Kitchen Remodels
• Bathroom Remodels
• Deck Additions
• Siding, Roofing, Windows & Doors
• Tile & Flooring Installation
• Screened Room Additions
• Custom Trim Finish Work
• ... and so much more!

Request a free estimate on your next project!

Serving the Entire Lake of the Ozarks Area

Adam : 573-286-2569
adam@all-star-renovations.com

Jay: 573-480-4757  
jay@all-star-renovations.com

Welcome to Our New Blog!

All-Star Home Renovations is now blogging!

We've got some great tips to share and we can't wait. Follow our blog for advice on remodels, minor home repairs and improvements, tips to improve the value of your home, and so much more.

All Star Home Renovations serves the entire Lake of the Ozarks area. We can handle everything from your your most complex home improvement and remodeling projects to the simplest.

All Star Renovations has 25 years experience and is fully insured!

• Kitchen Remodels
• Bathroom Remodels
• Deck Additions
• Siding, Roofing, Windows & Doors
• Tile & Flooring Installation
• Screened Room Additions
• Custom Trim Finish Work
• ... and so much more!

Request a free estimate on your next project!

Serving the Entire Lake of the Ozarks Area

Adam : 573-286-2569  
adam@all-star-renovations.com 

Jay: 573-480-4757    
jay@all-star-renovations.com