Buying your own home is one of the most exciting milestones of your life, I’m sure you’ll agree, but it is also one of the most expensive too and the expense doesn’t stop with the mortgage. Most homes need regular improvements and renovations if they are to remain the dream homes that we purchased and this can get pretty pricey over the years. That being said, there are some home renovations that you should make a priority because they can actually save you more money over the years…
Embrace Smart Tech
Smart technology for the home is a relatively recent invention but it is already revolutionizing the way we live. Once the preserve of Science Fiction movies, we now how contraptions that enable us to boil the kettle remotely, monitor the electricity from our smartphones and keep an eye on visitors to our property even when we aren’t at home. Even though something like a smart thermostat will set you back around $200 and a smart doorbell, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2 a similar amount, they and other tech like them, are definitely worth the money because they give you more control over your consumption, and in the case of smart doorbells, help you to better protect your property and possessions, which means that you absolutely do save by having them in the long-term.
Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
The cost of heating up the water you use to shower and bathe is one of the biggest monthly expenses you will have to pay as a homeowner, so it makes sense to keep that cost as low as you possibly can. One way of doing this is by getting rid of your old inefficient water heater (if you have one) in favor of a tankless water heater, which can heat your water more efficiently. Not only that, but it will ensure that you always have access to hot water when you need it without having to wait for the system to warm it up. Yes, you may have to pay $100 or so upfront for the new heater, plus costs, but you will pretty soon make that money back with increased efficiency.
Install New Windows
If your windows are old, chances are they simply are;t as efficient as they once were and they are probably letting out heat in the winter, and letting it in in the summer, which means your HVAC will have to work a whole lot harder to maintain the right temperature for you. This is hardly inefficient and it will cost you significantly more than it needs to be. So, get yourself Renewal by Andersen replacement windows and you will feel the difference in your home. Oh, you’ll definitely feel it in your wallet too!
Get Yourself a Ceiling Fan
If you live in an area where it gets really hot in the summer, chances are you’re forever turning the AC up in a desperate bid to stay cool, and chances are that you see a huge increase in your power bills when the weather is really hot and humid. It doesn’t have to be that way, not if you install a ceiling fan anyway. Why? Because ceiling fans, when they’re switched on, will create a windchill factor in the home which means that you can be as much as 7 percent cooler without doing anything else. When used wisely, you could save as much as 30 percent on your power bills for the AC by using it in conjunction with a fan.
Harness the Sun with Solar Panels
Solar panels aren’t just for eco-warriors, they are a boon to any homeowner who wants to save money on their utility bills, Yes, they are an expensive home improvement to contemplate, so they are definitely not for everyone, but if you can afford them and you live in an area that gets a lot of sun, they are worth considering. Solar panels will capture the sun’s photons and transform them into free energy for your home, so if you stay in the same place for at least 7.5 years, they will pay for themselves and then take you into profit.
Although all of these home improvements have an upfront cost, you should not only think about that, but their potential to save you money in the future. Sure, it might take a long tie for some of these things - solar panels in particular - to pay off, but others will give you almost instant savings, and they will all come good in the end, so what do you have to lose?
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it. If you want to find more articles like this, follow along with the Emma Dawn Blog by subscribing to my email newsletter. If you are looking for Business Consulting services check out the consulting page above.
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