We realize that everyone wants to find ways to save money around the house, but these inexpensive home improvements will save a few dollars and some will pay for themselves. Here are our 13 suggestions:
1. Get a Programmable Thermostat
· It can save you a couple of hundred dollars a year on heating and cooling costs. You can program it to lower the house temp while you are sleeping, and warm up just before your alarm goes off.
· Average cost is $80 – you will save that in the first year.
2. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
· You can about $56 over the life of each bulb; now multiply that by 40 blubs (the number of blubs in an average home) and that is BIG savings.
· The bulbs last for years.
· Average cost per bulb $1.50
3. Low Flow Shower Head
· They can provide up to 40% water savings.
· Installed throughout the house they can save a family as much as 8,000 gallons of water a year.
· Cost - $65 - $105 depending on finish and brand
4. Low Flow Toilet
· Toilets gulp a lot of water, but a low flow one will use just 1.6 gallons per flush.
· Cost – about $350-$400
5. Insulation
· Heat loss through walls, floors, and roof accounts for about 45% of heat and cooling loss.
· Attics are often the easiest to insulate and can be a DYI weekend project.
· You could qualify for a federal tax credit!
· Cost – average $1,500
6. D’Mand System Water Circulation Systems
· Why should water go down the drain while you are waiting for it to heat up? That could be 10,000+ gallons a year!
· This system automatically recirculates colder water back to your water heater.
· Cost - $500 - $700
7. Smart Switches
· You tell it where you live and what day it is and you never set it again. A mini computer figures out sunrise & sunset and controls your outdoor lights so they are on when needed and off during the daylight!
· Cost - $30 and up
8. Insulated Ducts
· Heat and cool are lost through uninsulated metal tubes, or through the gaps in the ducts.
· It can cost around $500 to wrap the ducts but it can save you around $400 a year! And you can do it yourself!
9. An Energy Audit
· Like a physical for your body, this is for your house; it pin-points all the ways your home is using and losing energy.
· You can do it yourself, but a pro will use more advanced techniques and tools to really help your bottom line.
· Some utilities will do it for free, or it can cost as much as $350 – either way it will save your money!
10. Washing Machine
· Old machines are big water hogs. But the new front-loading ones will save your $100 a year in water and electricity.
· Cost - $600+ - but check for “cash for clunkers” programs and rebates!
11. Tankless Water Heaters
· Provide hot water only when it is needed, no need for a big tank sitting in the basement – and now waiting for hot water to arrive from the basement.
· Tankless water heaters are anywhere from 8% to 50% more efficient.
· Cost - $800 and up
12. Geothermal Heat Pumps
· Similar to regular heat pumps, however these use the heat of the ground to provide heating and cooling and sometimes hot water.
· Cost - $7,500 plus drilling – however you can recoup your cost in 5 to 10 years.
13. Energy-efficient Windows
· Newer windows will block UV rays, and stem unwanted heat and cooling loss.
· Recent results suggest a 30% reduction in the size of a/c unit needed with these newer windows.
· Cost – varies by region, company and number of windows needed.
Got questions? Call us, we can help!
Helping you find your home is my goal,
Getting you through the process is my expertise.
Keith & Reechia Powell
Allen Texas Real Estate
