We’re helping first-time homeowner Abby Scioneaux with some projects to improve both the appearance and the efficiency of her home.
She is the South Alabama Regional Manager of Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes for children with critical illnesses. You can donate to her current campaign here.
Learn about other energy-efficient updates in our article about eco-friendly roofs.
New HVAC System
Abby’s heating and cooling system isn’t the newest so it’s not running as efficiently as the house needs it to be.
Since installing Heating and Cooling equipment isn’t a DIY project, Abby meets with an HVAC contractor to figure out what the best solution is for her home. He recommends American Standard’s True Variable Speed System for Abby’s home.
A variable speed system allows the system to ramp up or ramp down to where it’s not just regulating temperature, but it’s also able to help regulate the humidity in the home as well.
Add Insulation
The existing insulation in Abby’s attic only amounts to about R-15, so we’re adding R-30 batts from Rockwool Insulation on top of that will provide her enough insulation to really maximize her new heating and cooling system.
Resurface Countertops
Abby’s white laminate countertops blend in with the cabinets and stain easily.
You can paint laminate countertops, but we’re going to do something extra special, resurfacing them with the LuxROCK Solid Surface Granite Countertop Kit.
This kit, seen in Platinum White, includes all you need to resurface a countertop in just one weekend — a prime coat, stone coat, clear epoxy and a clear coat finish.
For a detailed guide on how to do this, watch How to Resurface Laminate Countertops (And More!)
Install Kitchen Backsplash
To dress up Abby’s plain kitchen, we’re adding a tile backsplash using SimpleMat from Custom Building Products.
It’s basically a double-sided sticker. First, you apply SimpleMat to the wall. Then, remove the adhesive front and apply tiles to the SimpleMat. After that, grout the tiles and remove the excess.
You can learn more about the process in our how-to video.
We also:
- Added Duck Brand weatherstripping and door bottom to the front door.
- Insulted back windows with Duck Brand Max Strength Window Kit.
- Fixed running toilet with Fluidmaster Everything Kit.
Post-Production Thoughts
As a first-time homeowner, Abby seems to have a good handle on the need to balance her attention between improvement projects that look nice and those that improve the function and efficiency of her home.
Investing in a new heat and cooling system to improve her home’s efficiency was a smart move that will pay dividends for years to come. And the insulation and weatherization improvements we made should help maximize those energy savings.
Now giving Abby’s old kitchen a facelift with a new backsplash and countertop may not save any money, but it certainly seems to have given her a boost of confidence and satisfaction.
Other Tips From This Episode
 | Simple Solution Toilet Bowl Cleaner: The Inexpensive Alternative for Cleaning Grout |
 | Best New Product Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring is Waterproof and Dent-Resistant |
 | Watch and Learn How to Resurface Laminate Countertops (And More!) |
Products Featured in This Episode
- American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning
- Rockwool Insulation
- LuxROCK Solid Surface Granite Countertop Kit
- SimpleMat from Custom Building Products
- SimpleGrout from Custom Building Products
- Duck Brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit
- Duck Brand Max Strength Silicone Weatherstrip Seal
- Duck MAX Triple Draft Seal
- Fluidmaster Everything Toilet Repair Kit
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