Are you thinking of remodeling your home? When considering your list of home remodeling plans, it’s wise to consider the return on investment (ROI). Certain types of home remodels or upgrades add significant value to a home, while others can actually detract from the value. If you want to see an immediate bang for your buck, consider these quick and easy home-remodeling ideas.
Programmable Thermostats: Savings aside, these things are amazing. Their Bluetooth and wireless capabilities add a layer of convenience to busy lives. Driving home from work on a hot July day? No problem. Just kick the air on from your smart phone. Waking up on a freezing January morning? Heating the house is as simple as rolling over and grabbing your phone. The same goes if you leave the house and forget to turn off the air. Simply turn it off from your smart phone. Plus, they can be programmed to cool or heat specific sections of the house (no need to leave the A/C on downstairs when everyone’s asleep upstairs).
Whole House Fans: In order to understand the beauty of the whole house fan, we’ll give you an analogy. You know when you get in your car after it’s been sitting in the sun all day? It’s hot, stuffy, stifling. Does the car cool off faster if you blast the A/C or roll the windows down for a few minutes and let fresh air circulate? That’s right. The latter is true. A whole house fan works much the same way. Instead of kicking on the air, turn the whole house fan on, open the windows, and whoosh!—your house will be cooled off in a matter of minutes for a fraction of the cost of running the A/C.
Energy Efficient Appliances: Did you know that more than 50% of a home’s energy is used to heat water? Washing clothes, dishes, baths, showers…they all require hot water. An energy efficient clothes washer uses 35-40% less water, as does an energy efficient dishwasher. The savings effect is two-fold: less water used means a lower water bill, and less water used also means less energy required to heat it. As for baths and showers, obviously we don’t think you should take less of them. However, replacing old showerheads with water-saving ones can reduce water usage by 25% and they will help your hot water last longer. No more running out of hot water while rinsing your hair!
These types of updates, and many others like them, will provide homeowners with immediate savings. Plus, they are attractive to savvy young homebuyers, so if you plan to sell in the near future, these upgrades can help edge out the competition.
If you have any questions about home remodeling or if you’d like more ideas, contact us today!
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