If there is one thing for certain in home ownership it is that costs will always go up. Unlike renters homeowners have property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, lawn care, and various housing repairs to keep on top of. Keeping costs down can be a difficult challenge. Houses are expensive, but there are things you can install that will help save you money.
Improve Your Lighting
High power bills are a serious drain on your budget. The federal government has already been mandating changes to more energy efficient fluorescent lightbulbs, but if the color & frequency of fluorescent lighting leaves you uneasy, look into LED lighting. The costs are coming down making them a much more affordable investment than years before, and they last much longer than any domestic lighting options available. Motion sensors can also be installed to turn off lights when they detect people are no longer in the room. These sensors aren’t very expensive and can save you money in the long run. At the very least, consider installing dimmer switches to only provide as much light as you need at night.
Smart Thermostats
Programmable thermostats help you regulate your home environment by adjusting for high and low activity periods. Now you don’t have to worry about remembering to adjust the thermostat when you leave for work or vacation. Companies like Trane, Lennox, and Honeywell have been expanding their product lines to help address the needs of the modern homeowner. They adjust for Daylight Savings, offer vacation features, allow for scheduling, and can even be adjusted over the phone. A thermostat like the one designed by Nest can do all that and more. Its motion and light sensors sense when people are in the room or if it’s a cloudy day and adjust the temperature accordingly, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars every year.
Install Energy Star Qualified Equipment
If your HVAC gear is over ten years old, it may be worth looking into upgrading. Not only are there often financial incentives from utility and insurance companies to upgrade your equipment, but the savings over the life of your home can be in the hundreds. Since HVAC gear can be expensive, it is important not to replace it just to replace it. For instance, if you know you will be moving in a few years, the cost of replacing HVAC equipment may not be worth it for you over a short period of time.
Solar Panels
Solar Panels are a considerable investment, but if your roof sees a lot of sunshine—depending on where you live—you could end up saving money over the life of your house. State and city rebate programs, Federal tax credits, and other solar incentive programs can reduce installation costs by up to 40%.
Insulate Your Windows with Earth-friendly and Efficient Technology
Installing polywood indoor shutters in your home can help provide multiple benefits, especially if you install glass doors and bay windows to allow for more sunlight in your home. Polywood shutters are a fire resistant, recyclable wood substitute that provide insulation which prevents outside temperature conditions from affecting your home environment while still allowing the sun to help reduce your lighting costs during the day. They look great, too. They also save on HVAC costs because they are more efficient than traditional wooden or aluminum mini-blinds.
The traditional tips to replace your roof, insulation, or siding in order to cut down on utility costs are still wonderful ideas. Technology, however, has brought new ideas to the table for eager homeowners willing to invest in their future. Carefully investigate each option and see which is right for you and your household budget.
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