As a homeowner, probably the first thought that comes to mind when you think about home improvements is the cost. While you should aim to make affordable improvements, you should also try to make upgrades that save you money on your bills. Have a look at the five tips for home improvements below that you can use to save some money on bills so you can make a good decision for your next set of projects.
1. Maintain Your Roof and Gutters
Most houses in the United States need some degree of improvement and remodeling because roughly 80% of them are at least 20 years old. One of the components that could be the most affected by extreme weather is the roof and gutters, given the important roles that they play. In order for them to keep giving you cover and helping direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, it’s important to keep them in good condition. Have an expert roofing contractor inspect them and if they need to be fixed, get this done right away as your very first project. The results will be well worth it in the end for you.
2. Service Your Air Conditioning Unit Regularly
This next tip goes for all the appliances that you have in your home, especially the air conditioning unit, which may be the most heavily-used appliance in your home. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit, according to Data Scope, is said to lower the risk of expensive breakdowns by a whopping 95%. This should motivate you to have an expert have a look at your unit on a regular basis and fix any issues it may have. You will enjoy spending less money and having your unit around for a longer time, all in good condition.
3. Install a Security System
If your home doesn’t already have a security system, this is an improvement you should consider making. A robust security system can help you keep your home safe from burglaries and theft, which could set you back a tidy sum of money. Find out the best and most versatile system on the market and have an expert set it up for you. Follow their advice so that you can reap the benefits of getting the system installed and you will keep your home and family safer than you could have without the system in place. It could become one of the best investments you make in terms of upgrades to your home.
4. Insulate the Whole House
A well-insulated house is going to help you keep more of the air that you treat indoors, making insulating your house worth every penny. Insulating the walls of your basement, according to Metro Home Insulation and Waterproofing, can reduce your home’s heating costs by anywhere from 10% to 20%. This makes thorough insulation a great home improvement project to do. Before you begin, have the entire house inspected to find all the leaks so that you can fix all of them at once. This will make the process a lot faster and possibly cost-effective as well.
5. Install Smart Lighting
Finally, you should install smart lighting for your home and enjoy the cost-effectiveness it will help you realize. Find a good brand that works as it should, which could include automatically dimming or switching off depending on the conditions. When you can control the lighting around your home even while outside of it, you will realize some good savings in terms of the energy spent on keeping your home illuminated.
These five home improvement tips should make it possible for you to save money on energy, so make those that you can. Work with professionals so that you minimize the risk of having a project done the wrong way and having to repeat the process.
Yes, regular air conditioning system maintenance can prevent many problems. And changing air filter is one of the most important jobs. And you can do it yourself!
You should check your air filter every month, and wait no more than 3 months before replacing it. With washable and reusable filters, follow the same practice, checking it monthly and cleaning per manufacturer specifications. Keeping your air filter clean allows the unit to run efficiently and that translates to an energy cost savings from 5% to 15%!
You’ll save a lot of money on energy costs for keeping your home illuminated if you can regulate the lighting around your house even from outside.
You made some good suggestions for reducing energy consumption. I also suggest making a habit of setting your thermostat around 68 while at home and turning your HVAC off when you’re not around for more than a few hours. At 68 degrees, your system will run most efficiently while still keeping you comfortable, and if you’re not at home, it will save a lot of energy and prolong the lifespan of your unit.
If that process seems like too much of a hassle, consider switching to a programmable thermostat, which will automatically turn off your heat during the times you’re not at home, leading to greater efficiency gains.
Valuable addition! However, it’s important to keep the heat on even when you are away from home in order to prevent your pipes from freezing. In this case, keep your thermostat at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
As for insulation, also remember to wrap pipes that are near exterior walls. It will improve your home’s energy efficiency and prevent pipes from freezing on cold winter days.
One more thing that can help you save on bills is insulating your front door. This will prevent air leaks.
If your front door is old or low-quality, then it’s better to replace it with a more energy-efficient option, like a steel door. Steel doors are durable, long-lasting, and weather-resistant. Plus, they are a sure way to add to the home’s aesthetic and value.
As part of your regular air conditioning system maintenance routine, incorporating the use of ceiling fans is highly recommended. Ceiling fans play a crucial role in improving the efficiency of your AC system by enhancing air circulation, resulting in a more even distribution of conditioned air throughout your home. This, in turn, reduces the workload on your system, leading to potential energy savings and lower utility bills.
When it comes to insulation, it is important to remember to wrap pipes that are located close to external walls. It will increase the energy efficiency of your house and keep the pipes in your home from freezing during the cold winter months.