Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, or have just bought one and want to make improvements, you can’t deny that finding ways to improve the overall efficiency of the home in ways that reduce expenses is a good thing. Everyone wants to spend a smaller portion of their hard earned money on necessary expenses and have more residual income with which to have some fun. So what are some home upgrades that you can do to make that possible?

Replace Your Windows

Glass can be a good insulator, which can mean good things for keeping your home’s internal temperature under control. The catch is that not all windows do an equally good job at this. Some windows are specially designed to be energy efficient, while others act more like a conductor than an insulator by comparison. If the windows in your home are more like the latter, replacing your windows with more energy efficient ones can help you beat the heat during this upcoming summer.

Improve Insulation

Your windows probably aren’t the only places where the insulation could stand to be improved. There is insulation throughout your home, but if it’s not in good condition or if it isn't good quality it isn’t going to be doing its job effectively. There are different types of insulation that can be used in homes, each with their own pros and cons. If the insulation in your home is inadequate for any reason, adding more or replacing it altogether can help keep your home at a more comfortable temperature while reducing the amount of work your HVAC system has to do to keep it there.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

While you probably spent a lot more time at home in 2020 than you normally do, you’ll probably get closer and closer to spending your time the way you did before the pandemic as time marches on. Because you’ll be spending less time at home, there will be less of a need to keep your home at a temperature that you find comfortable. By adjusting your thermostat when you’re gone , you stand to save money without compromising your comfort. Installing a programmable thermostat takes virtually all of the work out of doing that. You can set a schedule for when you aren’t home and the thermostat will take care of the rest.

Replace Your Light Bulbs

Is your home using LED light bulbs? If not, you’re probably using more electricity to light your home than you need to. LED light bulbs can lower your home electric bills . This is because they use less electricity to generate light. You may even find that you’re able to use a bulb that offers a far brighter light while still saving money. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t be trying to do electrical work yourself, since it can be incredibly dangerous. Just swapping out the bulb is safe enough to do on your own though. If you intend to change more than just the bulb and were to change out the entire fixture instead, you should probably call an electrician to handle that for you. Feel free to install the bulb yourself once the fixture is in place if you feel so inclined.

Replace Your HVAC System

HVAC systems tend to last about 10-20 years . They aren’t cheap to replace, but if yours is costing more to maintain than its worth or if it’s just kicked the bucket, replacing it is probably your best option. The good news is that if your HVAC system is that old, the models that exist now are likely to be far more efficient at regulating the temperature of your home than your old one was. As such, you should expect to see a decrease in your energy bill. That can help offset the upfront cost of the installation over time. While it’s not a project you should do unless you have to, it certainly has its benefits when it becomes necessary.

Seal Cracks

Even the best HVAC system is only going to be able to do so much if your home is drafty. Drafts decrease your home’s ability to maintain a stable temperature in an efficient manner. This causes your HVAC system to work harder and costs you more money. There are a few different ways you can find drafts yourself . Alternatively, you can have a home energy audit done which may be able to find the drafts for you. Once found, seal the cracks off so your home stops leaking cool air in the summer and heat in the winter.

Swap Faucets and Shower Heads for Water-Efficient Versions

Your energy bill isn’t the only utility you could stand to pay less for. If your faucets and shower heads are old, they’re probably dispensing more water than is necessary. This is a wasteful use of water and costs you more money than you should be paying. The simple fix is to swap out the existing faucets and shower heads for water-efficient versions. They help save water by using an aerator. This reduces the amount of water flowing through while maintaining the water pressure.

Add a Solar Panel System

What if you could generate your own power? That would be a great way to decrease the amount of money you spend on energy, wouldn’t it? Adding a solar panel system to your home can be a good way to accomplish that. In order to be effective, a solar panel system must be exposed to sunlight. That means that some states are better for solar than others. If you live in a particularly sunny area, you may even be able to take advantage of net metering, which allows you to bank the energy you generate so you can make use of it when your panels aren’t actively producing energy.

While home upgrades do tend to present a decent upfront cost, choosing ones that can net you long-term savings can be a good way to go. A lot of these sorts of upgrades will help lower your utility bills, which can make living in your home more cost effective. If you’re trying to sell your home, it’s a good way to make your home more appealing to buyers. If you’ve just bought the house, these upgrades can improve the experience you have while you live there. Whatever your circumstances, it’s easy to see the benefits you could enjoy from them.

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