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Everyone’s home is their castle. And if you’re a new homeowner you probably already know that every castle could use an upgrade or two. But where are you supposed to start if you want to make your home better, more convenient, and add a little value along the way?
The truth is, simple renovations can not only make your living experience much better, but they can also significantly add plenty of value to your home. And sometimes minor additions can yield the most extensive returns.
Today, we live in a world full of options that any new homeowner can choose from when they set out to do remodels or renovations. But if you really want to get the biggest bang for your buck, you should look for solutions that will not only enhance your home but reduce your annual cost of living as well. And the great news is, that there are several ways to do this.
In the following, we’ll explore a few simple ways to enhance your home and put a little money back in your pocket each year.
Invest in a Propane System
If you’ve never checked into the benefits of propane, now is the time. Because the fact is, propane is simply a better energy source than both natural gas and electric. In fact, when you purchase a propane system, you’ll be getting a huge array of benefits.
A few benefits of propane systems are as follows:
- Clean energy
- Safer than gas or electric
- More dependable than electric
- Propane furnaces last longer than electric heat pumps
- Warmer than electric
- Cools faster than electric
In addition to the benefits listed above, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating a home with propane has been much cheaper than using natural gas or electric. And though the cost of energy and fuel fluctuates, you’ll likely save more annually with a propane system.
Lighting
You may not think that you can save money by updating your lighting system, but you’d be dead wrong. The fact is, that hundreds of dollars are wasted each year by homeowners who use outdated lighting systems and light bulbs. But this is a simple fix that can put plenty of money back in your pocket year after year.
For example, many homeowners like the idea of perimeter security at night. And this often comes in the form of floodlights placed on the corners of the home. But when these security lights are solar powered, you won’t have to worry about paying additional energy costs for keeping your home secure.
In addition, the bulbs that you choose to use in your light fixtures also play a huge role in how much power you use on a monthly basis. As an example, LED bulbs not only last 25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs, but they also use about 90 percent less energy than conventional lighting.
Lighting is obviously important, but when you do the math, the savings that you can pocket annually are definitely worth the price of upgrading your lighting to energy-efficient models.
Windows
Perhaps one of the best ways to save money annually on energy costs is to ensure that your windows are sealed properly. And the good news is, that upgrading your windows doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg (depending on how many windows you have of course).
Improperly sealed windows account for heat and cooling loss during the cold winter months and the hot summer months respectively. But instead of shoving a rag between the cracks of your windows, you’d be better off sealing them shut or upgrading the entire window system.
In addition to having properly sealed and updated windows, your window treatments can also play a huge role in heat retention in the winter and keeping your home cool in the summer.
For example, tinted windows will allow light to enter, but will keep the room from heating up during the hot summer days. And even blinds and curtains or shears will not only add a bit of style to your home, but these can also help keep your home cool in the summertime and help to trap heat in during the winter.
Upgrading and renovating your home can be a fun experience. But the best way to renovate is to implement solutions that will ultimately pay for themselves in the long run. And when you invest in energy-efficient upgrades, it’s almost like you’ll be able to cut yourself a check at the end of the year!