As the leaves start to change color and temperatures cool, it’s the perfect time to make aesthetic and practical improvements around your home. It’s also your last chance to prepare for inclement weather before winter rolls around.
While home improvements are cost-effective investments that tend to pay for themselves, they can still come at a steep price initially. From roof and siding replacements to furnace upgrades and driveway sealing, we’ll help you determine the best ways to spend your money for maximum impact.
Replace Your Roof
Fall is one of the best times to replace your roof and siding, due in part to the weather. Compared to spring and summer, fall provides cooler temperatures for installing shingles.
Most importantly, fall is your last chance to make sure your roof is in good shape before winter weather arrives. Heavy snowfall, ice, and hail can all threaten the integrity of your shingles and cause leaks to develop. A newly repaired or replaced roof can prevent leaks from forming, keep destructive pests from damaging your home, and save you money in the long run.
Upgrade Your Furnace
With temperatures falling by the day, it’s important to repair or upgrade your furnace before your home becomes too cold. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, doesn’t get hot enough, or requires regular repairs, a replacement may be the most cost-effective option as you go into winter.
Upgrading or repairing your furnace also gives you peace of mind regarding your furnace’s safety and ensures your model doesn’t have cracked heat exchangers, blocked vents, or dirty burners that can cause CO2 leaks.
The beginning of fall is the ideal time to schedule a furnace repair or replacement because your home will still be warm while the work is occurring, and you’ll be ready for whatever the winter brings. Furnace technology has only gotten more energy-efficient and cost-effective over time, meaning your new furnace may allow you to enter the winter season with a lower energy bill than before. By investing in cost-effective ENERGY STAR appliances, your household can save $1,722 or more annually.
Seal Your Driveway
Since winter weather can bring an onslaught of snow and ice, it’s essential to get your driveway sealed and repaired in the fall, if needed. By sealing your driveway, you can provide your asphalt with a protective barrier against cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions to prevent and minimize cracking, expansion, and contraction. Sealcoating your driveway before the winter comes can help extend your pavement’s life in the long term and even prevent harsh UV damage in the spring and summer.
Fall is the ideal time to seal your driveway because of the season’s moderate temperatures and infrequent precipitation. If you’re tackling this job yourself, check the forecast to ensure the nightly temperature is at least 50 degrees and that there’s no chance of precipitation for at least 24 hours after the sealing is complete.
The ideal time to seal your driveway is early in the fall before any potential leaves, pine needles, and pinecones could start to fall and get stuck in the pavement.
Tackle Your Home Improvement Projects this Fall with a HELOC from PSECU
We offer home equity loans that let you take full advantage of your home’s value.
Plus, with our HELOC you can choose to borrow only the money you require for your fall home improvement project as you need it, giving you flexible access to the cash you need. Apply today.
The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated is to be construed as financial or legal advice. Some products not offered by PSECU. PSECU does not endorse any third parties, including, but not limited to, referenced individuals, companies, organizations, products, blogs, or websites. PSECU does not warrant any advice provided by third parties. PSECU does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by third parties. PSECU recommends that you seek the advice of a qualified financial, tax, legal, or other professional if you have questions.