Home Upgrades to Consider

Are you looking to reduce the amount you spend on utilities each month?

We think it is fair to say that no one likes it when the utilities are due each month. The amount that we spend heating and cooling our home at various points throughout the year can actually make up a significant chunk of our budgets. That is why it is extra important to make sure our homes are efficient. And, improving home efficiency involves much more than simply buying a high-efficiency air conditioner or furnace. There are many non-HVAC related improvements you can make to your home that will reduce the amount of money you spend on utilities. Here are some home upgrades to consider if you are looking to solves one of the below-mentioned problems. Seal air leaks/avoid heating and cooling loss. If the air you are spending money to heat or cool is being lost to the outdoors, it is going to take longer for your home to get up to your ideal setting – if it ever even makes it. Think of it as your money flying out the window. Here are the upgrades to consider…

• Have high-efficiency windows installed.
• Invest in better insulation AND make sure that all areas of your home have proper insulation. Make sure you remember your attic!
• Invest in weather stripping and caulk to seal and cracks around your windows and/or doors, particularly during the peak heating and cooling seasons.

It’s cooler in the shade. If you live in an area that requires a lot of cooling power during the summer, it can be a good idea to make improvements that help block your home from the sunlight.

• Plant a tree to shade the south-facing areas of your home.
• Invest in light colored shingles. Dark shingles will absorb more heat and warm up your home.
• Buy heavy curtains or shades to block the sun in south-facing rooms.
• Consider having your outdoor HVAC equipment placed in an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight.

And we can’t leave out.. the heating and cooling improvements that you can make. Ultimately, heating and cooling equipment comprises the majority of your utility bills – sometimes over half! Making improvements here can be a large investment, but it will pay off each month.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat for customized home comfort based on your schedule.
• Always buy the most efficient HVAC system you can afford – the higher the efficiency rating, the more you can save!
• Choose multi-stage equipment. Not only can this help you save on heating and cooling costs, but it can also make your home more comfortable.
• Consider a zoning system for your home. A zoning system separates your home by room or groups of rooms – each controlled by their own thermostat. This way you can get even more customization based on how your home is used during the day – delivering warm or cool air to the areas of your home that really need it at a given point.

Are you interested in making a home upgrade? Make sure you get in touch with a local contractor, especially if you are considering an improvement to your heating and cooling equipment. You don’t want that anticipated money-saving investment to turn into a costly headache!  

Like this post? Share it!