There’s plenty of content out there about how you can save money on your home improvement projects. After all, almost 85% of the nation’s homes were built before 1980 and are in need of some kind of improvement. But if you want to make your home improvement projects pull their weight and save you money for the long haul, here are a few money-saving home improvements to consider.
Invest in Smart Technology
It’s easy to think of complex gadgets or super high-tech homes when words like “smart technology” come into play. Fortunately, the reality of investing in smart technology for your home is a lot simpler than that. Take smart thermostats, for example. It’s just a thermostat, but it can connect to your wifi, learn your temperature preferences, and make adjustments to help you save energy. It may cost anywhere from $250 to $600 upfront, but the reality is that this simple home improvement can realistically pay for itself in about two years and then continue to help you save money on your energy bills.
Smart light bulbs are another excellent home improvement to consider. And if you’re also looking for a more low-cost and minimal home improvement, this is an excellent one to make. Smart light bulbs can be synced to your home security system and your smartphone. Forgot to turn the lights off before you left the house for the day? The touch of a button can turn them off for you. Not only does smart technology like this add value to your home, but it also helps you save money on regular home expenses.
Look for Water-Saving Improvements
Your water bill is likely a big part of your monthly home expenses. And considering there are a few major water-using rooms in your home, it makes sense to make a few home improvements that will help you save water and save money.
First, let’s focus on the kitchen. Almost 10 million homeowners remodeled their kitchens in 2017 alone — just imagine how that number has grown. First, you can make sure your dishwasher is working for you. While a more minimal change could be making sure the dishwasher is completely full before running it, the better option might be to invest in a new Energy Star qualified machine. In addition, you can minimize the number of times you use your dishwasher by washing singular dishes by hand.
In the bathroom, a low-flow shower head could save you anywhere from 35% to 60% on your monthly water bills. Talk about a low-cost upgrade that can save you big bucks in the long run. A low-flush toilet is also a good investment to make if your goal is to save water and upgrade your bathroom at the same time.
Install Ceiling Fans
There are plenty of sneaky ways to upgrade your home without spending a fortune. For example, covering a single wall with a mirror can automatically make a room seem twice as deep. Ceiling fans are another one of those sneaky upgrades that don’t cost much but make a huge impact on your home. And in this case, it can save you a whole lot of money upfront and in the future. During the hot summer months, it’s easy to crank up the AC to stay cool. But how much money are you wasting with your AC on 24/7? Ceiling fans can help circulate air throughout your home without costing you a fortune on your monthly energy bills.
When you’re looking for home improvement projects that improve more than just your home, consider trying a few of these ideas. Saving money on home improvements is great, but investing in home improvements that saves you money can be even better.
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