How to Upgrade Your Home & Save Money

*This is a collaborative post.

Turning your house into a dream home doesn’t have to be an expensive project. You can start doing small projects which can save you money in the long run and most of them are perfect for do-it-yourselfers. So, here’s a list of ways how to upgrade your home and save money.

Add More Insulation

If you have trouble heating up your home during winter or your house is too hot during summer, and your energy bills are too high, your insulation may need some upgrade. Also, insulation is one of the best ways to save money in the long run. For most homes, it’s safe to say to add more insulation in the attic. In addition, add insulation in between and over the floor joists. Don’t forget to insulate walls, and unheated spaces, like a garage. 

Make sure every draft is sealed with the right type of insulation, for example, around windows and doors. Old house insulation is an upgrade that will pay off in reduced energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and will also add to the home value.
Learn more from iFOAM about effective home insulation techniques to enhance energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.

Switch To LED Bulbs

One of the easiest ways to upgrade and save money is to ditch incandescent bulbs and switch to LED. For example, if you only switch the 5 most frequently used light fixtures to LED bulbs, you can save around $75 a year. In addition, LED bulbs and CFLs have a longer lifespan, approximately 10,000 to 25,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours of an incandescent bulb. There’s a way to save even more money and that’s by buying smart bulbs and controlling them through the app. This way you can turn off lights, create a schedule and save electricity. 

Low Flow Showerhead

There are many budget-friendly ways to make your bathroom look more appealing and more functional. This tip may not sound that amazing, however, you can save money just by replacing the showerhead. We know that amazing water pressure can help you have an enjoyable shower, but they waste a lot of water. Showerheads can allow from 3 to 5 gallons per minute, while new low-flow showerheads can go from 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute. For example, if you’re a family of four, then you can save from $70 just by replacing the old showerhead. 

Go Tankless

If your water heater has reached its end, then it’s a perfect time to go for a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater can be up to 34% more efficient than a regular heater. A tankless water heater heats water on demand compared to a conventional heater that uses 40 gallons of water each day. The great thing about tankless water heaters is that they are much easier to repair and last a lot longer. However, they just cost more to install than a conventional water heater. In addition, conventional heaters last around 10-15 years, while tankless heaters can last 20 years or longer. 

Upgrade the Kitchen

Kitchen appliances are what make the kitchen look put together. So, old kitchen appliances not only can make your kitchen look old and boring, but they can make your food go bad quicker. When buying new kitchen appliances, look for those you won’t have to replace in a few years. You don’t have to upgrade the whole kitchen, just replace an aging appliance one at a time. For example, upgrading from an old refrigerator to a new one can save you around $200 during the lifetime of the product. 

Remove the headache of limescale

Another upgrade to consider is to add a water softener in your home if you’re searching for a solution that offers several money-saving benefits. Those people that live in hard water areas will undoubtedly know the problems limescale cause on a daily basis and the costs it incurs. A water softener will free your home of limescale, so your appliances and heating systems will operate more effectively by consuming less energy to heat the water, whilst also extending their lifespan with fewer repairs or untimely replacements. Additionally, you’ll use fewer cleaning supplies and there will be no need for descalers.

Install Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan alone can’t cool the air, however, in pair with an air conditioner it can make the room cooler by 4 degrees. This means you can save money on utility bills while staying comfortable. Also, a ceiling fan can help push warm air to the floor during winter, just reverse the direction. 

These are just some of the ways you can upgrade and save money in 2022. Make sure to take your time, do one project at a time and make your home a comfortable and nice place to hang around.