• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

4 Smart Home Improvement Projects That Save Money in the Long Run

By Sabado Domingo

There are some things you can purchase or install in your home that will help save you money over the long run. Planning ahead for these opportunities can give you the best perspective on what will save you money in the future — even if there is an upfront cost associated with making these investments.

Most home improvements are one-and-done changes that don’t provide additional future returns. For example, you may call a company to change out your worn out door locks, but don’t expect those new locks to save you money down the road.

On the other hand, certain investments can indeed have a significant impact on your wallet in the future. In fact, here are four money-saving home improvements that are well worth the effort:

Installing Ductless Air Conditioning

Ductless air conditioning may be an affordable and meaningful solution to help keep your home cool. It frequently involves much less installation work than a traditional air conditioner which requires a technician to come in and install ducts throughout the house. This can be a drain on your budget as well as frustrating to have people inside your home. However, ductless AC can typically be installed very easily.

Improving Home Insulation

Insulating your home and sealing doors and windows is a common advice to prepare your home for winter, but no matter when you take on these tasks they will always pay off in terms of your electric bill. Adding insulation in crucial areas of your home such as your attic, and getting a good seal on your doors and windows — or replacing them with more insulated versions — can help keep your house cool during the other seasons, thereby allowing you to maximize the benefits of ductless AC.

Replacing Inefficient Appliances

You’ll get the most bang for your home improvement buck if you upgrade any outdated and inefficient appliances in your home. The top energy suckers in your home are air conditioning, dehumidifiers, heating systems, refrigerators and hot water heaters. Other ways to maximize your long-term savings include installing a programmable thermostat and running your appliances at night.

Correcting Structural and Gutter-Based Problems

The most expensive home repairs are typically tied to water problems — so whether you live in a rainy area or are concerned about snow, it’s critical to stop the leaks and control water in and around your home. While just a little bit of clutter in the gutter doesn’t sound that risky, gutters are your first line of defense against cracked foundations, water problems in the basement, leaking roofs and wood destroying insects. Professional gutter cleaning typically costs a few hundred dollars, while repairing downspouts and gutters costs slightly more. On the other hand, if you need your foundation repaired, then expect to pay more than $4000. As such, it’s well worth making these investments now.

Do your research ahead of time to discover what’s going to make the most sense as an upfront investment that could pay off later. A few small changes can make your life easier while also reducing a significant hit to your wallet in the future.

Photo Credit: m01229

June 23, 2017

Comments

  1. 1

    RD Blakeslee says

    If you have a “hard” water source, install a cistern and filter its output to remove sedimentation. No more problems with calcified plumbing and washing appliances.

    For potable water, use an inexpensive counter-top distiller.

    • 2

      Len Penzo says

      I have hard water at my house, Dave. Believe it or not, my biggest pet peeve is not the mineral deposits that get left behind, but the additional time it takes for the water to boil when I am trying to cook!

  2. 3

    RD Blakeslee says

    Also of interest: The atmosphere is quite a good filter.

    Poison elements found in some groundwater, such as the lead in Flint, MI’s, simply aren’t in rainwater.

    • 4

      Len Penzo says

      Another good point!

  3. 5

    Jenny says

    Thanks for the tips!

Trackbacks

  1. Black Coffee: Why Most Silicon Valley Billionaires Are Allergic to Gold - Len Penzo dot Com says:
    July 22, 2017 at 8:50 am

    […] 4 Smart Home Improvement Projects that Save Money in the Long Run […]

  2. How Spending Money Can Help Your House Fetch a Higher Sale Price – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    February 6, 2019 at 4:16 am

    […] factors like location and house age are things that you won’t be able to control, there are a few improvements you can make to your house that will help it reach a higher price point. With that in mind, the following tips […]

The Question of the Week:

What is the minimum household income to be comfortably middle-class today?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
One of the Biggest Money Mistakes a Household CEO Can Make
9 Ways to Save Money When Buying a Car
Exploring the Benefits and Process of Opening a Foreign Bank Account with Incluence
How to Trim Your Christmas Shopping List
How Joining a Franchise Can Provide Financial Freedom
When Is the Right Time to Stop Giving Gifts to Nieces and Nephews?
Black Coffee: Suspicious Minds
Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 28
Cut Winter Car Maintenance Costs with These 5 Essential Tips
The Benefits of Conference Calls Instead of Business Travel

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Popular Now:

  1. 1. How 6 Tiny Money Leaks Cost Me $2802 Annually
  2. 2. The 5 Worst Store-Brand Grocery Products
  3. 3. The Ethics of Found Money: Should You Keep It?
  4. 4. My 13-Year-Old Daughter Shares Her Financial Fears
  5. 5. My Personal Journey to Financial Freedom
  6. 6. Why I Run My Household Like a Business (and Why You Should Too)
  7. 7. 5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week
  8. 8. 7 Great Careers That Don’t Require Experience to Start
  9. 9. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodities
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

Copyright © 2023 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2023