Did you know that most Americans spend half of their income on housing? We also spend a lot of money on our energy bills, home maintenance, and repairs. But what if we could save our money by making home improvements? And not just any home improvement, but the right ones.
Home improvements don’t always have to mean grand redecorating or luxury renovations. A great home improvement could mean replacing things that could benefit us, in this case, financially. The home improvements that we’ve listed down below are those that’ll help you save money in the long run. They will either help you cut down on your electricity bill, require little maintenance, or lessen the amount of money you have to spend on repairs.
Gutter Protection
Gutter protection is often overlooked. But if you live in areas that rain often or have trees nearby, you need a gutter protection system. Gutters can be filled with all kinds of dirt and debris, not just leaves. This can clog your gutters and cause standing water, which will result in tons of problems. It could lead to leaks, molds, and rot. It may even weigh your gutters down, making it an eyesore and a structural failure.
Standing water in your gutters is also a great breeding place for disease-carrying mosquitoes. If you want to avoid cleaning out your gutters every time or spending hundreds of dollars getting them cleaned for you. You should invest in gutter protection. That way, you’ll never have to worry about cleaning out your gutters. Or paying for repairs ever again.
LED Lights
If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs or even compact fluorescent lights (CFL). There is only one question for you: Why? Not only are they more expensive, energy-consuming, and have short lifespans. They aren’t LED. LED Lights use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and CFL. They also last 25 times longer than other light bulbs, are brighter, and are much cheaper. So not only do you save more money buying LED light bulbs. You also save money by cutting down your electricity bill.
Smart Technology and Energy-Efficient Appliances
Smart technology was created to make our lives more convenient. Part of smart technology’s convenience is reducing the amount of energy we spend. So aside from making our lives easier and, let’s be honest, cooler. It also saves us a good amount of money. Of course, smart technology isn’t cheap when you’re paying for them upfront. But the amount of money you save from using smart technology and appliances make it worth the price. If you don’t want to commit to the smart technology lifestyle. There are two smart appliances that many people recommend: the smart thermostat and a smart outlet.
Smart thermostats adjust the temperature inside your homes automatically. It adjusts to the ideal temperature for energy saving. Thus helping you save 10% on your energy bill. Smart outlets are also great because they allow you to switch devices on and off anywhere globally. So the next time you leave your home forgetting to turn off your appliances. You can turn it off through your smartphone.
Weatherstripping on Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors are responsible for keeping your home insulated. The tiniest cracks or fractures around your windows or doors can affect your energy bill. That’s where weatherstripping comes in. By covering up any cracks around your windows and doors, you stop cold air from getting in and warm air from getting out. Your home becomes better insulated, and you save money on your energy bill.
Curtains and Blinds
Having heavy curtains or blinds can also help insulate your home. At the same time, making your home aesthetically pleasing. It’s a great way to block out the heat from the sun and stop cold air from getting in during the colder seasons.
Insulation
If you haven’t realized, most of your money goes to your heating and cooling. That’s because most American homes are under-insulated. Installing insulation will help you save energy and make your home feel cozier.
Some of these home improvements may do little for aesthetics. But they are practical, and they don’t rob your bank accounts. They even help you save more money. Money that you could be using on more important things such as paying off your mortgage or paying for your kid’s tuition fee. Of course, these home improvements would require you to spend money, but the returns are high. Making each purchase worth it. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money.